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WACA, Perth, Sunday - A nasty wrist injury to Sanath Jayasuriya when he was careering along like a bullet train which forced him to retire hurt robbed Sri Lanka of a good chance of achieving another memorable victory over Australia in their Carlton and United one-day game here today.

With this defeat the Lankans are out of the running for the title although they have two more games to play in this tournament.

Replying to Australia's 274 for 7, Sri Lanka made 229 in 46.5 overs. It was obvious that a batsman was going to get seriously hurt the way the ball was climbing off the cracks which had batsmen taking evasive action. Unfortunately it was Jayasuriya who took a nasty crack on his wrist which will keep him out of the next two games.

Jayasuriya was batting like a champion and threatening to smash the Aussie attack when disaster struck. A ball from Julian reared up and hit him on the wrist and he was seen leaving the field in great pain. Jayasuriya had made his 50 runs in 47 balls with 8 fours and a six. Two balls later he was knocked out.

But the Lankans must be admired for their courage and fighting it out to the end. Atapattu, Tillekeratne, Jayawardena and Ranatunga tried valiantly, but the uncertainty in the wicket made them lose out. Atapattu made 34 before foolishly running himself out, Tillekeratne made 30, Jayawardena a well played 36 and Ranatunga 14. Mahanama was unlucky to be ruled out when TV replays showed that the ball was missing leg stump.

After these games on the WACA wicket, questions will be asked whether it is worth playing one day games here. McGrath who was unplayable had 2 for 19 and Warne although he took 3 for 53 did not deserve those wickets. They were gifts.

In contrast to Friday when it was steaming hot, it was cool with high clouds hanging around when skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Shane Warne walked out to toss. Ranatunga won the toss again and sent Australia in. Michael Bevan and Ricky Pointing came into the Aussie squad, while Aravinda de Silva who was suffering a left calf injury and Upul Chandana made way for Hashan Tillekeratne and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe. Greg Blewett and Stuart Law were dropped from the home team that played in Adelaide.

The wicket was the same one on which the Lankans played England and the cracks that were there had widened up and were more prominent. It was obvious that batsmen were going to be in danger of being hit and suffering serious injury.

Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh who gave their team a tearaway start hitting the ball all over the place. Gilchrist in particular who was hit a couple of times and Pointing later on were lucky not to suffer serious injury. The deliveries once they hit the cracks reared up nastily and it was not easy batting.

The openers put on 50 in 46 balls and looked like they would put up another big stand like they did in Sydney. But Vaas who changed ends got Gilchrist to play on at 62 for 47 made in just 45 balls with 7 fours. Waugh followed at the same score for 12 off 14 deliveries to Wickremasinghe. Ponting who made 39 was lucky to be dropped off his own bowling by Vaas and two balls later was plumb in front but was given not out by umpire Terry Prue.

Lehmann went for 20 and Ponting for 39. It was a fantastic direct hit from substitute fielder Chandana that ran out Pointing. The Lankans who are fighting all odds to stay in the competition did well to step on the brakes and not allow the Aussie batsmen to dominate. Michael Bevan and Damien Martyn then quietly began to get their act together, pushing the ones and two and hitting the vital boundary. They put on 67 valuable runs for the fifth wicket. Bevan once again proved that he is a master batsman in this type of game picking his runs with nudges which was upsetting to the fielders. Bevan went on to make an unbeaten 72 in 65 balls with 4 fours. Martyn was also an aggressor and made 48 in 56 with 2 fours. Shane Lee chipped in with 22 off 26 balls and Australia made 274 for 7. Wickremasinghe had 3 for 48 and Vaas 2 for 51.