At R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, August 31 (day/night). Sri Lanka won by eight wickets. Toss: Australia.

After 11 one-day internationals without defeat, Australia finally stumbled against Sri Lanka, to the home crowd's delight. They chose to bat, on a slow pitch, but were restricted by the spinners – Sri Lanka boldly omitted Vaas – to 202. Only Steve Waugh, who equalled Allan Border's record of 273 one-day internationals for Australia, and his twin Mark reached 30; both were bowled by Muralitharan. For their reply, Sri Lanka restored Kaluwitharana to open the innings with Atapattu, while Jayasuriya held himself back in case of a crisis. Kaluwitharana rose to the occasion with an unbeaten 95, off 117 balls, with 11 fours. He was denied his hundred only by the speed with which Jayasuriya hastened to victory. Coming in with 29 runs required, Sri Lanka's captain hit 26 off 23 balls, lifting the winning six with ten overs in hand.

Man of the Match: R. S. Kaluwitharana. Man of the Series: A. C. Gilchrist.

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