At Khettarama Stadium, Colombo, September 5 (day/night). Australia won by five wickets. Toss: Australia.

Having won the toss for the first time in the series. Border turned the tables on Ranatunga by asking him to bat. This set up a comfortable Australian victory in the first floodlit limited-overs international in Sri Lanka. The home team, in uniforms of faded turquoise with a white chest band, failed to build on a splendid foundation of 101 for the second wicket, laid by Hathurusinghe and Gurusinha after Mahanama had fallen first ball.

The Australians– who wore a rich salmon strip with a broad grey band and called themselves the Pink Panthers– began uncertainly, and were 58 for three in the 18th over. But the next 18 overs brought an enterprising stand of 84 from Boon and Waugh. Boon remained unbeaten on 69 when Australia won with 13 balls to spare.

Man of the Match: D. C. Boon.

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