At Sydney, December 21 (day/night). Australia won by five wickets. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka reached 255 thanks to a superb 75 by De Silva and a clear error by umpire Harper, which denied Mark Waugh a catch and gave Tillekeratne an early second chance en route to 62. Slater failed again in the chase but Taylor looked set for his first century in the short game until he was beaten by Muralitharan's throw on 90. Sri Lanka used eight bowlers but none of them could prevent Bevan steering Australia home with two balls' breathing space.

Man of the Match: M. A. Taylor. Attendance: 28,301.

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