Date-stamped : 17 Jan96 - 18:15 ODI # 1038 World Series 1995/96, Match 12. Australia v Sri Lanka Melbourne Cricket Ground (D/N). 16 January 1996 ====> report Wednesday 17, January 1996 Man-of-the match KALUVITHARANA hits third fastest half-century in the series 16-year history Sri Lanka in WSC finals for first time MCG Tuesday What a game the lion - hearted Sri Lanka cricketers, displayed their one-day heroics at the MCG again through yet another ca- valier knock by that little dynamo Romesh Kaluwitharne, 74 runs in 69 balls to help the Lankans for the first time to enter the World series final defeating Australia by three wickets, with two balls to spare, in an absorbing decider played under lights here today. With this epic win Sri Lanka meet Australia in the three match final to be played at the MCG - the first (tomorrow) and the oth- er two in Sydney also under lights on Jan 20 and 22. Australia made 242 for 4, in 50 overs. Sri Lanka replied with 246 for 7 in 49.4 overs, in a great run chase with Kaluwitharne win- ning the man-of-the match for the third time in this series with his aggressive batting that laid the foundation for Sri Lanka`s three wins in their quest to enter the finals on a better run- rate. But undaunted the Lankan skipper Ranatunga took the field despite his niggling injury to steer the Lankans to a historic win that did the game proud , in a tour marred by controversies. Every member of the team contributed for this success besides `Kaluwitharne`s trailblazing start. First it was the first wicket stand between `Kalu and Jayasuriya 35 runs in 5 overs, Then followed that 61 runs between `Kalu` and Gurusinha for the second. Then there was a mild collapse when Sri Lanka lost three wickets for 12 runs. Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama in a plucky stand of 72 runs for the fifth put them on course. This was followed by gutsy batting by Ranatunga 18 made in 25 balls given out, run out by the third umpire. But Dharmasena and Vaas with 20 runs to be made in 17 balls hammered MCGrath for 11 runs in his ninth over to make it five runs in 6 balls. Dharmasena cracked the winning hit with a glorious hit for 4 also off McGrath to win the match amid jubilation. Dharmasena 24 n.o., in 24 balls again batted courageously, while Vaas, who bowled excellently with the start of the Aussie inning was on 13 in 8 balls with a four saw Sri Lanka enter a dream W. C. final for the first time down under. This was Australia`s second successive defeat against Sri Lanka at the MCG. Australians winning the toss elected to bat first found them- selves in trouble losing their first three wickets for 54 runs in 17 overs. Then came that productive 102 run stand for the fourth wicket between Steve Waugh 102 not out in 116 balls (with six fours and a six) and Stuart Law 47 followed by a breezy 43 not out by in-form batsman Michael Bevan helped them to reach 242 for 4 in 50 overs in 208 mts. in the last preliminary round W.C. match. Regular skipper Arjuna Ranatunga despite nursing an injured finger took the field in place of Sanjeewa Ranatunga. Wickremasinghe replacing Eric Upashantha. In 5 overs it was 12 runs. At the same score Mark Waugh was gone well held by Mahanama at covers for 6 runs in the third over of Vaas. The Aussies were 27 for 1 in 10 overs. A run later Ricky Ponting was caught behind in Wickremasinghe`s first over for 5 runs in 12 balls. Steve Waugh joined Taylor and saw the 50 hoisted in 94 balls. Four runs later Wickremasinghe had Taylor caught off a sharp ris- ing delivery in an identical manner the way Pointing got out. Taylor had 5 fours made in 85 balls. Law joined Steve. Again the Aussie middle-order performed the rescue-act this time by Steve Waugh and S. Law. At the halfway mark it was 91 for 3. Steve Waugh was lucky to survive on 25 - 79 for 3 when Wickremasinghe after holding on to a catch at deep square-leg but went off balance to spill in the process. Unlucky bowler Dhar- masena. Surviving a leg before appeal, Steve on 30 against the same bowler took control with some determined batting to repair the innings with Law. Steve reached his 50 in 64 balls. Law, stroking the ball well was on 47 but Arjuna Ranatunga took a running catch at mid-on off Pushpakumara. His 47 came in 77 balls with a four. The fourth- wicket stand of 102 runs came in 69 balls in 77 mts - 156 for 4. The advent of lefthander Michael Bevan to join Steve Waugh saw big hitting. In 40 overs it was 165 for 4 Steve smashed a huge six over long on off Vass. The 200 came in 274 balls. Steve com- pleted his 100 in 115 balls (with 6 fours and a six). His twin brother Mark scored 130 in WACA. The pair has scored a test 100 each and one-day 100s in the ongoing series against Lanka. Bewan, 43 n.o. in 38 balls with 3 fours again displayed his abun- dant prowess with the willow in this world series to aggregate 295 runs. The unbeaten 5th wicket stand of 86 runs came in 38 balls. Source :: Lake House/Lanka Internet Services Contributed by Ravi (sista@*.latech.edu)