Sri Lanka marked their first full international on home soil since April 1987 by claiming a thrilling victory with four balls in hand. Undeterred by the early loss of Mahanama and Tillekeratne, the flamboyant De Silva and Gurusinha turned the game with a third-wicket stand of 147. De Silva had reached 105 from 102 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes, when he was run out. But his captain, Ranatunga, tore 20 runs from McDermott's ninth over, including sixes over point and extra cover. After these exertions he complained of damaged stomach muscles and needed a runner. For Australia, Moody and Taylor had opened with 109 in the first 27 overs, when the going was hardest, and Taylor narrowly missed a maiden hundred in one-day internationals. But a total of 247 for five proved just too low to defend.

Man of the Match: P. A. De Silva.