It was a mark of Warner's powers that, in his own words, he "didn't really hit one off the middle" as he compiled his first fifty - and was still able to plunder 163, from only 157 balls. Warner's exploits in Twenty20 and Tests had set the bar high, to the extent that notching the third-highest one-day international score in Australia seemed almost passe´. But he took guard with an average of 22 from 18 one-day matches, and could easily have made way instead of Forrest for the returning Clarke. Wade had been in a hurry too, until he succumbed to a stunning outfield catch from Herath, left arm outstretched behind his shoulder as he tumbled back inside the long-on boundary. When Sri Lanka slumped to 144 for six in the 31st over, a thrashing loomed. Suddenly Kulasekara, without an international fifty in two and a half years, embarrassed Australia's bowlers, smashing 73 in 43 balls and adding 104 with Tharanga, a stand which included a 68-run batting powerplay. In the end, the result was too close for Australia's comfort.

Man of the Match: D. A. Warner.
Attendance: 12,196.