- Scorecard

Australia win first final by 15 runs

SL 306 all out (49.2 ovs), Target: 322

Watson bowls a slower delivery to Malinga, who misses it completely. Malinga has a go at the next ball but can only hole it to Mike Hussey on the square leg boundary, who takes an easy catch.

Sri Lanka are bowled out for 306 to lose the first final by 15 runs. Dhammika Prasad looks visibly dejected after he is left stranded on 31 from 21 balls.

At one stage, Sri Lanka looked out of the contest as they were reduced to 144 for six in the 31st over but Kulasekara's blazing fifty brought them back.

But Sri Lanka can take heart from the fight showed by their lower order and will be hoping to do better in the second final, to be played at Adelaide on Tuesday, March 6.

- Live scorecard

SL 306-9 (49 ovs), Target: 322

Just three runs came from the previous over from Watson, and Australia hold a slight edge going into the final two overs.

Lee bowls a good full ball to Prasad, who can only manage a single.

Malinga tries a wild heave off the next ball, but misses it completely. He gets a single off the next ball and Prasad also does the same as he whips it on the leg side.

Lee bowls a good yorker to Malinga, who misses the stumps by inches and the batsmen scamper through for a quick bye.

Prasad misses the final ball of that over as Sri Lanka need 16 runs for victory from the remaining six balls.

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WICKET!!! SL 301-9 (47.4 ovs), Target: 322

Herath c Doherty b Watson 5 (5b)

Herath hits Watson to point for a single to bring up the 300 for Sri Lanka. The tailenders have turned the match on it's head with the last 100 runs coming from just 56 balls.

Watson bowls a slower ball which deceives Prasad, who gets a single off the next ball.

Herath then holes out to deep midwicket off the next ball as he pulls a short ball from Watson straight to Doherty to fall for five.

With just one wicket in hand, Sri Lanka need to be careful with their shot selection. Prasad, who has made 28 from 17 balls, holds the key here.

He takes a single off the fifth ball before Malinga defends the last ball of that over.

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SL 299-8 (47 ovs), Target: 322

Lee returns to bowl in the death overs. However, Prasad shows no respect to the veteran pacer as he slams him over the cover fielder for a six and then digs out a yorker for a single.

Herath hits a full toss through the covers for two more runs as Australia start to feel the pressure with Lee bowling a wide off the next ball.

That is a good over for Sri Lanka as they get 13 runs from it. Sri Lanka now need 23 from the last three overs for victory.

 

- Live scorecard

WICKET!!! SL 286-8 (46 ovs), Target: 322

Tharanga c D Hussey b Watson 60 (67b, 3x4)

Sri Lanka need 10 runs from this over to be ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis calculations at the end of this over, provided they don't lose any more wickets.

Watson back into the attack now. A single off the first ball followed by two runs for Tharanga off the next. The left-hander then misses the full toss which he hits straight to midwicket.

But Watson clips Sri Lanka's hopes in that over as he takes the wicket of Tharanga. The left-hander tried to hit one down the ground but ended up lofting it to David Hussey at the long-on boundary to fall for 60.

At the end of that over, Sri Lanka need 36 from 24 balls for victory.

- Live scorecard

SL 280-7 (45 ovs), Target: 322

Dhammika Prasad has a wild swing at Christian, only to edge it wide of the wicketkeeper for a four. He picks three runs off the next delivery as Christian bowls a full toss that is hit over the point region.

Tharanga hits a full ball through covers to get another couple of runs. Prasad then gets into the act as he slams Christian down the ground for a boundary.

Sri Lanka still in the hunt as they score 15 runs from that over from Christian.

Interestingly, it has started to drizzle and Sri Lanka are just four runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis calculations.

- Live scorecard

SL 265-7 (44 ovs), Target: 322

Christian continues to bowl it full and on the stumps to keep the batsmen down to five singles in that over. Sri Lanka need boundaries at the moment and Christian has done well to keep the batsmen down to just singles.

Australia's top wicket-taker Hussey is hit for a four by Tharanga who cuts a wide short ball through point to bring up his fifty from 59 balls. He then glides one fine for a couple through fine leg and another double off the final ball of that over.

Sri Lanka are 265 for seven in 44 overs, need another 57 runs from the last six overs for victory.

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WICKET!!! SL 248-7 (41.4 ovs), Target: 322

Kulasekara c Doherty b Hussey 73 (43b, 7x4, 3x6)

After an expensive first over, Clarke persists with Christian, who bowls a superb over. He gives just a single off the first four balls before Kulasekara chips him on the off-side for a double.

He was unlucky not to have picked up the wicket of Kulsekara (58) off the final ball as Wade dropped a regulation outside edge. 233-6 (41)

Clarke takes the gamble of bringing in part-timer David Hussey, who has taken three wickets earlier. Kulasekara is up to the task as he starts by slamming Hussey for back to back sixes through the midwicket.

That brings up the 100-run partnership from 69 balls for the seventh wicket with Kulasekara having contributed 73 from 42 balls.

But Hussey ends Kulasekara's adventure as the right-hander chips it straight to Doherty at extra cover. The all-rounder gave his team some hope with a blazing innings of 73 from 43 balls, having hit seven fours and three sixes.

David Hussey does it again for his captain, making the breakthrough at a crucial stage. He now has four wickets in the innings, having taken four for 33 in seven overs.

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SL 230-6 (40 ovs), Target: 322

Tharanga lifts Hilfenhaous over mid-on but the ball doesn't go the boundary, getting him three runs. Kulasekara had a wild swing at the bouncer from Hilfenhaus which went to the square leg region, and Shane Watson tried his best on the ropes to catch it, but failed and it went for a boundary.

Kulasekara then heaved the next ball over midwicket for a huge six to bring the Sri Lankan fans back to life. That brought up the 200-run mark for the visitors. 205-6 (38)

The two batsmen have also brought up the 50-run stand for the seventh wicket as Sri Lanka start to dream again!

It has been a horror outing for Hilfenhaus who has given away 46 runs in four overs.

Daniel Christian, who took five wickets in the previous match, was introduced in the 39th over. Tharanga took a single off the first ball and Kulasekara got an edge off the next ball for another boundary to race to 40 from 27 balls.

Kulasekara nearly hit another boundary but David Hussey came up with a brilliant save on the long-off boundary running to his left. 10 runs came from that over as Sri Lanka's innings started to motor along. 215-6 (39)

Tharanga and Kulsekara have scored 57 runs from the last five overs to suddenly bring the game back to life.

There is no stopping Kulasekara who flicks Lee through midwicket for his sixth boundary. He brings up his half-century from 33 balls off the next ball with two runs through the point region.

He then chipped Lee over the mid-off fielder for another boundary as Australian bowlers continued to suffer.

After 40 overs, Sri Lanka are 230 for six, need another 92 runs from the last ten overs. Interestingly, Australia had made 91 from their last ten overs.

- Live scorecard

SL 188-6 (37 ovs), Target: 322

Sri Lanka take the Batting Powerplay at the start of the 36th over as Hilfenhaus comes in for a new spell.

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar sums up Tharanga's current misery on Twitter. "established odi opener few weeks back & now batting at no 6 to to keep his claim..thats tharanga & the uncertainties of the game for you," he writes.

Tharanga seems to be finding his form though. He cuts Hilfenhaus over the point fielder for a boundary, the first in nearly 15 overs.

Kulasekara also gets his first boundary in that over as he flicks a full delivery over square leg to continue a poor day for Hilfenhaus. 172-6 (36)

Tharanga has changed gears in the Powerplay. He drills Pattinson down the ground past the non-striker for a cracking boundary. The Aussie pacer sends a bouncer next up which Tharanga avoids, a typical response from a fast bowler.

Pattinson then bowls a high full toss as he attempts a slower ball and that is rightly called a no-ball. Tharanga once again tries to hit it down the ground but that goes straight to mid-on, for a single.

Kulasekara joins in the fun as he slams Pattinson for back to back boundaries. He chips the pacer over midwicket and then lifts it down the ground to bring some cheer to the Sri Lankan camp.

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SL 162-6 (35 ovs), Target: 322

After the high in their previous match against India, Sri Lanka seem to be hitting a new low. David Hussey failed with the bat, but has shown his utility by taking three wickets with the ball. His figures now read an impressive three for 14 in five overs.

Doherty concedes three runs in his final over to end with impressive figures, having given away just 39 runs in the overs.

And David Hussey is taken off and he gives way to pacer James Pattinson. The speedster starts with a wide down the leg side and Kulasekara takes a single off the next ball to take Sri Lanka to 150 in the 33rd over.

David Hussey takes on from the other end, replacing Doherty who has finished his spell. And things going as per script for Australia as Hussey comes up with another tidy over, giving away just three singles. 158-6 (34)

Tharanga will be in a dilemma at the moment. The target is getting beyond reach with every passing over, Tharanga should be looking to attack at the moment yet he also has to score runs and keep his place in the team.

The left-hander, accomodated in the side because of injuries to other players, is looking to deal in singles at the moment. Pattinson gives away just four runs, in his fourth over.

Sri Lanka need 160 runs from the final 15 overs for victory.

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WICKET!!! SL 144-6 (30.1 ovs), Target: 322

Maharoof c Christian b Hussey 8 (14b)

It's painful to watch a side play like this. Sri Lanka seem to be going through the motions at the moment. Just three singles from the Doherty over, who has now given just 28 runs in three overs.

David Hussey also keeps the batsmen down to five singles in his next over as the match continues to slip away from the visitors. Just 38 runs for the loss of two wickets in the last 10 overs for Sri Lanka.

Hussey continues to chip away at the wickets. This time Maharoof charges down the wicket and hits it straight to Christian at short midwicket to fall for eight and give Hussey his third wicket of the innings.

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WICKET!!! SL 125-5 (26.1 ovs), Target: 322

Thirimanne c Wade b Hussey 14 (30b)

With the Bowling Powerplay out of the way, Australia bring back left-arm spinner Doherty. But it hardly matters as both Thirimanne and Tharanga continue to play at a steady rate, not bothering about the ever-increasing required run rate.

David Hussey comes on from the other end and he continues his wicket ways. Thirimanne edges it behind the wickets as he tries to drive a wide delivery, but is caught behind the stumps by wicketkeeper Wade for 14.

That delivery hit the rough outside the off-stump and deviated slightly.

- Live scorecard

SL 123-4 (25 ovs), Target: 322

It seems the technical issues have been resolved now. Apologies for the inconvenience.

After 22 overs, Sri Lanka are struggling at 115 for four. With Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera also missing from the line-up, there is not much batting to follow.

Upul Tharanga, batting at no. 6, has batted his whole career of 134 innings as an opener and three innings at No. 3. So this will be a new experience for the left-hander.

Watson has started well with the ball and he continues to keep it tight against the two new batsmen  -- Tharanga and Lahiru Thirimanne.

Three runs from Watson's sixth over as Sri Lanka's batsmen finding it difficult to even get the ones and twos.

Lee follows that up with a maiden over as Thirimanne fails to find the gaps. It seems as if Sri Lanka have given up hope as they reach 118 for four in 24 overs, chasing a huge target of 322.

Sri Lanka are going nowhere at the moment with both batsmen playing cautiously. Watson delivers another good over, giving away just five runs to end the Bowling Powerplay.

In the five overs of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka have managed just 17 runs, while losing one wicket.

At the halfway stage, Sri Lanka have reached 123 for six, and now need 199 runs from the remaining 25 overs for victory.

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WICKET!!! SL 115-4 (21.3 ovs), Target: 322

Sangakkara c Watson b Lee 42 (49b, 4x4)

Sangakkara has fallen now. Could this be the end of Sri Lanka's hopes too?

And it is the veteran Brett Lee yet again, who claims his third wicket of the innings.

With the asking run rate going up all the time and the boundaries having dried up, Sangakkara decides to break the shackles. He tries to hit Lee down the ground but ends up lobbing a simple catch to Watson at mid-off after scoring 42 from 49 balls.

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SL 106-3 (20 ovs), Target: 322

Australia are trying to rush with their spinners as rain is expected to hit the ground anytime soon. Xavier Doherty has bowled six overs for 23 runs, while David Hussey has taken one for five in two overs.

Sri Lanka are 106 for three in 20 overs, still behind in the Duckworth-Lewis calculations. Australia have now taken the Bowling Powerplay and bring on Shane Watson into the attack.

It has started to drizzle now. It is not heavy at the moment and the match continues.

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SL 95-3 (17 ovs), Target: 322

Part-timer David Hussey strikes in his very first over! He gets the wicket of the in-form Dinesh Chandimal who is caught by James Pattinson at point for 14.

Australia on top now. Kumar Sangakkara running out of partners here, unbeaten on 32 from 34 balls.

- Live scorecard

SL 23-0 (3 ovs), Target: 322

Brett Lee starts off the innings with a wide, just like Malinga had done for Sri Lanka earlier. Four singles in that over, coupled with more four singles as Sri Lanka score six from the opening over. 6-1 (1)

Ben Hilfenhaus to bowl the second over ahead of James Pattinson. Dilshan welcomes Hilfenhaus with a boundary as he whips a full delivery through midwicket. He ends the over in that same fashion as he shuffles across his stumps and flicks it through midwicket for the second four of the over. 17-0 (2)

Dilshan looks intent to attack the bowlers and make most of the fielding restrictions. He pulls a short ball from Lee through the leg side for his third four as Sri Lanka are off to a flier reaching 23 after three overs.

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Aus 321-6 (50 ovs)

Warner single-handedly guided Australia to an imposing 321 for six in their 50 overs with his superb innings of 163, before being bowled off the final ball of that over.

Once Wade (64) and Warner put on a quick partnership of 136 for the opening wicket, there was no stopping the hosts.

Michael Clarke provided the impetus at the end with a quick 37 from 25 balls.

Yet again, Sri Lanka suffered when Lasith Maling was taken for runs. He took one for 74 in eight overs and struggled in every spell that he bowled.

Sri Lanka's batsmen face a mammoth task and like Australia, their openers will also need to fire.

- Live scorecard

Aus 321-6 (50 ovs)

Malinga to bowl the penultimate over. He starts with a slower ball, that is short of length and Warner chops it to long-off for a single. Mike Hussey charges down the wicket off the next ball but miss the ball as he tries to hit it through the off-side.

However, he gets the next ball of the middle as he chips it over the long-off fielder for a six. Two more singles in that over as Aus reach 309-5 with one over to go.

Dammika Prasad to bowl the final over. Warner smashes it down the ground as Prasad half stops it with his foot to keep it down to two. That takes him to 160 to break the record for the highest individual score in a ODI at the Gabba. the previous record was held by England's David Gower, when he made 158 against New Zealand in 1983.

Mike Hussey heaves Prasad over midwicket for another big six, his second of the innings. Warner is bowled off the final ball of the innings as he tries a wild swing across but misses it.

Opener Warner fails to carry his bat through the innings, but has played a magnificent knock of 163 from 157 balls, hitting 13 fours and two sixes.

Mike Hussey remains unbeaten on 19 from 10 balls, with the help of two sixes.

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Aus 300-5 (48 ovs)

Warner takes a single through point to bring up his 150 off 147 balls, having hit 13 fours and two sixes. Mike Hussey is off the mark with two runs as he gets it past the point region.

Kulasekara to bowl the 48th over. Warner gives himself room and hits the full toss through covers for a double. A single each for the two batsmen before Warner drills it down the ground and runs another quick two followed by a single. Hussey hits the final ball of that over through midwicket and the two batters scamper another quick two, leaving Warner gasping.

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WICKET!!! Aus 288-5 (46.3 ovs)

Clarke c Jayawardene b Malinga 37 (25b, 5x4)

Clarke flicks a full toss from Maharoof through fine leg for a boundary off the first ball of the over. He strikes the next ball through the covers as Dilshan runs around from long-off to give away two runs. The next ball is played through midwicket for another couple as the two batsmen bring up the 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket off just 38 balls.

It's Warner turn now as he steers the ball through the vacant thirdman region for a four. The two batsmen are so quick between the wickets, they convert a double into three runs as Clarke makes Warner make the extra effort. The duo then take another double off the last ball as 16 runs come off that Maharoof over. 283-4 (46)

Warner takes a single off the first ball of Malinga's over to move to 149. Clarke has a huge swipe at Malinga, but gets a thick outside edge that flies wide off the keeper for a four.

However, Malinga has his revenge off the next ball. Once again it is the slower delivery as Clarke is early into the shot and spoons a simple catch to Jayawardene at midwicket after a quick 37 from 25 balls.

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Aus 267-4 (45 ovs)

While Warner is looking to take the singles and twos, Clarke is getting the boundaries. After a poor spell, Malinga brought back into the attack. Warner gets a single off the first ball and two balls later Clarke played it late for a boundary through the thirdman region.

The next ball was played by Clarke towards the point region for a double to take Australia past the 250-run mark.

Change of bats for the Australian captain, who immediately gets a double with the new stick on the leg side. 253-4 (43)

Herath continues and still there are no signs of Warner having a go at the bowling. Both the batsmen content to rotate the strike in that over as five singles come from that over from Herath. 258-4 (44)

Australia's policy against Malinga is clear and that is to attack him at every opportunity. Warner smashes a full delivery back past the Sri Lankan pacer for a four down the ground. He tries to carve the next ball over the off-side but manages only two runs at deep cover, followed by a single. Clarke shuffles across his stumps for a single on the leg side.

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Aus 244-4 (42 ovs)

Three singles from the first three balls of Prasad's over before Clarke ends that over with a boundary through mid-off despite a diving effort from Malinga. 237-4 (41)

Clarke gets another boundary in the next over as he cuts a wide delivery from Herath behind the point region. Seven runs from that over Herath, who has taken one for 30 in six overs. 244-4 (42)

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Aus 230-4 (40 ovs)

Captain Michael Clarke finally makes his way out to the middle. He gets off the mark immediately with two runs off Herath on the leg side. Six runs from that over from Herath which also included the wicket of David Hussey.

Australia are 230 for four after 40 overs. With six wickets in hand and ten overs to go, they should easily pass the 300-run mark.

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WICKET!!! Aus 224-4 (39.1 ovs)

D Hussey c and b Herath 1 (8)

Australia continue to shuffle their batting line-up. Clarke decides to hold himself back as the in-form David Hussey also gets a promotion up the order. His elder brother Michael Hussey will most likely bat at number seven, given the changes.

Australia's gamble has failed as David Hussey is caught and bowled by Herath for one.

That is a very important for Sri Lanka. Two quick wickets as Sri Lanka look to inch their way back into the contest.

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WICKET!!! Aus 223-3 (38.4 ovs)

D Christian c Sangakkara b Prasad 10 (8b, 2x4)

Prasad also comes back for a fresh spell. Warner pulls the second ball over midwicket for a four and drives the next ball to mid-off for a single.

Prasad gets the wicket for Sri Lanka as Christian is caught off an inside edge for 10.

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Aus 218-2 (37 ovs)

Daniel Christian gets a promotion in the batting order ahead of captain Michael Clarke. With 15 overs to go, Warner also has a chance to post a big hundred here.

Kulasekara is hit for a boundary off the first ball as Warner cuts a wide short ball through point. Christian survives a run out chance as Malinga misses a direct hit at the bowler's end as the batsmen scampered for two runs.

Warner ended that over in style as he crashed a full ball through the covers for a four to take Australia past the 200-run mark after 36 overs.

Christian has another close shave as the inside edge off Maharoof goes past the stumps for a four behind the stumps to get him off the mark. Warner tries to slice it over the off-side but gets a thick outside edge for two more runs.

Christian lofts a full ball from Maharoof back past him for a four in his favourite region and then plays a dot ball to end that over. 213-2 (37)

Australia have not been able to make full use of the Batting Powerplay, scoring 36 runs from the five overs, while losing one wicket.

Herath comes on for his second spell. Warner hits the first ball on the leg side for two runs followed by a single for each of the batsmen. Five runs from that over from Herath.

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Aus 191-2 (35 ovs)

Meanwhile, it is a moment to celebrate for Warner. He brings up his maiden century in ODIs with a streaky boundary as the bottom edge off Maharoof goes past Sangakkara to the thirdman fence.

He took 111 balls, hit eight fours and two sixes, to bring up the milestone.

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WICKET!!! Aus 186-2 (34.2 ovs)

Watson c Thirimanne b Maharoof 21 (25b, 1x4)

Australia took a wicket in the Bowling Powerplay and now they take another one in the Batting Powerplay.

Watson hits a slower ball from Maharoof straight into the hands of Thirimanne running in from the square leg boundary to fall for 21. He put on 50 runs for the second wicket with Warner.

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Aus 185-1 (34 ovs)

Australia have taken the Batting POWERPLAY!!

Good tactics by Australia to take the Powerplay with two set batsmen out in the middle. Warner is looking good on 89, while Watson is off to a confident start.

Maharoof is brought into the attack. Warner takes two runs off the first ball towards the point region to move into the 90s. Five runs from the first over of Batting Powerplay. 182-1 (33)

Kulasekara brought on from the other end. Warner takes a single off the first ball to move to 94 and one stroke away from his maiden ODI century.

Watson hits the next ball straight back to bowler, who gets hit on the thumb as he attempts to stop it. Kulasekara seems to have injured his fingers as the physio runs out to attend him.

Warner would have nearly missed his century. He tried to steal a quick to Jayawardene at midwicket, whose return missed the stumps narrowly at the non-striker's end as Warner was short of his crease.

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Aus 177-1 (32 ovs)

Watson uses his feet against Herath and hits it on the leg side for a couple. He then drives a full toss down the ground for another two runs, followed by a single. Warner also picks a single off the final ball of that over from Herath. 172-1 (31)

Warner plays a full ball from Dilshan down to long-on for a single. Two dot balls for Watson before a single to the long-on region. Warner clips it on the leg-side for a double followed by a single to end that over. (177-2, 32)

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Aus 166-1 (30 ovs)

Herath starts the action after the 20-minute rain break. The Sri Lankans are complaining to the umpire that the outfield is a bit wet.

Watson starts with a single straight after the break as Herath has to make use of the towel to dry the ball after each delivery. He keeps it tight, giving away just four runs in that over.

Dilshan continues from the other end. Again Watson and Warner looking to get their eye in with singles in that over. Dilshan bowls the quicker delivery that goes on straight and bounces a bit more as Watson is beaten, in his attempt to cut it fine. Four singles from that Dilshan over as Sri Lanka reach 166 for one in 30 overs.

Sri Lanka have managed to pull back things, giving away just 18 in the last five overs.

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Aus 158-1 (28 ovs)

Play is set to start in a couple of the minutes. The umpires are making their way out in the middle and have called off the covers. So yet again, it was the passing shower and not much time lost!

RAIN STOPS PLAY

The rain has eased off quickly. The groundstaff have only covered the pitch so we can expect play to resume soon.
 

Watson pulls a short ball from Dilshan through midwicket for a single. Warner punches a wide ball through covers for a double and Watson ends the over with a single.

The drizzle has got a bit heavier now as the umpires stop play and the call the covers on to the field.

Things are not looking good at the moment. "This is what we witnessed yesterday. It rained the whole day in Brisbane," says Ravi Shastri on commentary.

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Aus 153-1 (27 ovs)

After the fall of that wicket, Malinga is immediately into the attack.New batsman Shane Watson is off the mark with a boundary as a thick outside edge flies past the lone slip fielder.

In that same over, Warner is quick to rock back and pull a short ball from Malinga over the square leg fence for a six. Malinga continues to leak runs as he gives away 12 runs in that over for figures of 40 runs from four overs.

Dilshan is brought back into the attack as it starts to drizzle again at the Gabba. Warner takes a single off the third ball of that over, to move to 75 and register his highest score in ODIs. Two more singles in that over as Sri Lanka's ploy of using Dilshan seems to be working so far.

Rangana Herath now comes on from the other end. Warner steers the third ball of that over past the point fielder for a couple. It is a good tidy start from Herath, giving away just two runs in his first over.

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WICKET!!! Aus 136-1 (24 ovs)

Wade c Hearth b Kulasekara 64 (71b, 4x4, 1x6)

Warner decides it time to break the shackles. He cracks the first ball of Prasad's over straight to the cover fielder, but the next ball he lifts it past his team-mate at the other end for a boundary.

Warner is on fire at the moment. Another full delivery from Prasad is sent crashing past the mid-off fielder for a boundary by Warner.

Prasad has now switched to around the wicket and cramps Warner for room with one that came in a bit. But there is no stopping Warner at the moment. The left-hander heaves the next delivery from Prasad over the midwicket fence for his first six. Sri Lanka's hardwork in the last few overs seems be getting undone now as Australia's openers are looking to attack again and take advantage of the Powerplay.

Wade also joins in the party. He flicks a full delivery from Kulsekara through the square leg for his fourth boundary of the innings. Australia have an anxious moment in that over as Warner tries to steal a quick double but is sent back in time by Wade.

So Sri Lanka finally get the wicket that they were so desperately looking for. Rangana Herath takes one of the best catches of the tournament to send back Wade after a good knock of 64. Wade lofted Kulasekara down the ground and looked to have cleared Herath, but the Sri Lankan spinner took a few steps back, stuck out his left hand and managed to complete a brilliant catching falling down, just inches off the boundary ropes.

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Aus 116-0 (22 ovs)

Finally, Sri Lanka taking the Bowling Powerplay. It will be interesting to see if Australia's openers try to make most of the fielding restrictions for the next five overs.

Prasad continues to check Australia's progress with just three runs concedes in that over, the first of the Powerplay.

Warner breaks the sequence of tight overs, hitting Kulasekara down the ground for a four despite a diving effort from Maharoof at mid-off. That also brings up Warner's half-century from 61 balls. Will he now cut loose and hit a few shots?

Interestingly, that was Australia's first boundary after a long wait of 11 overs.

Kulasekara beats Warner all ends up with a good full delivery that moved away a bit. He gets another single in that over, for five runs in total in the 22nd over.

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Aus 108-0 (20 ovs)

Wade picks up two runs as he hit Prasad in the cover region off the first ball of his over. He is beaten off the next ball as Prasad gets it to move away from the left-hander, but Wade cuts the next delivery through point for another couple. Prasad manages to keep the batsmen quiet for the rest of the over. Aus 105-0 (19)

Dilshan has played a big role in slowing down Australia. He just concedes three singles in his fifth over, and has now given just 18 runs in five overs.

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Aus 101-0 (18 ovs)

Pacer Dammika Prasad is introduced into the attack and still no signs of the Bowling Powerplay. Australia are quite happy to keep the scoreboard moving with singles and twos as the two batsmen are approaching their half-centuries. Five runs from Prasad's first over as Aus reach 94 for no loss in 17 overs.

Wade cuts a short ball from Dilshan behind point to get three runs and Warner gets a single off the next ball. Wade brings up his half-century off the next ball with three runs. The left-hander tried to take a quick single as Tharanga hits the stumps but the batsmen get three runs as the ball ricochets after hitting the stumps.

That also brings up the 100-run partnership between the openers, the best stand of the tri-series so far.

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Aus 89-0 (16 ovs)

Dilshan continues as Warner hits him to the cover region for a single. It's only singles for Australia as they get four runs from the 14th over. Perhaps the Aussie openers are also waiting for Sri Lanka to take the Bowling Powerplay and are content to play it steadily till then.

Maharoof continues to check Australia's progress with another good over, giving away just two singles. And Dilshan also stifles the two Australian openers, conceding two runs in his third over.

Australia have slowed down considerably in the last half hour, with just 14 runs coming from the last five overs.

- Live scorecard

Aus 81-0 (13 ovs)

Wade continues from where he left off. The first ball he confidently strikes it to the covers where a misfield from Tharanga gifts him a couple.

The next ball, Wade hits a classical off-drive past the bowler, to get another boundary. Seven runs from that over from Maharoof. Aus 75-0 (11)

Sri Lanka spring in a surprise by introducing part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan ahead of regular bowlers in Dammika Prasad and Rangana Herath.

With the ball relatively new, Dilshan is getting a bit of extra bounce. Australia are watchful in that over as they get just two singles. 77-0 (12)

Sri Lanka have not taken the Bowling Powerplay, perhaps for a wicket to fall. Maharoof continues as Wide clips his second ball through fine leg for a couple. A few balls later, he gets a single through point and Warner ends the over with another single.

- Live scorecard

Aus 68-0 (10.2 ovs)

The covers are coming off now and play will resume in two minutes. It has started to get a bit brighter at the Gabba.

Sri Lanka will be hoping that the break turns the tide in their favour and they manage to pick up a couple of wickets on resumption.

RAIN STOPS PLAY!!!

So finally, the teams have go off the field as the drizzle gets a bit heavier. Australia are sitting pretty, having reached 68 for no loss in 10.2 overs.

The groundstaff has rushed out to the middle but so far only the pitch has been covered. Perhaps, they feel the drizzle could go away pretty soon and hence not wanting to cover the entire square.

- Live scorecard

Aus 68-0 (10 ovs)

Wade drives Kulasekara through the off-side to get two runs and then picks a single off the next. Warner is firing now as he smashes a full ball through the off-side for his fourth boundary of the innings. However, he is comprehensively beaten off the next ball as he plays and misses outside the off-stump. Warner picks up another couple of runs through the leg side as Australia continue to prosper.

It has started to drizzle now at the Gabba and the groundstaff are getting ready for action. Maharoof gets one to swing a bit, taking Warner's outside edge that flies through the vacant gully region for a single. Just two singles from that over as Maharoof makes a good comeback after giving away runs in his first over.

Sri Lanka looking to stop the flow of boundaries. Kulasekara comes up with another tight over as he gives away just a single in his fifth over, keeping it just short of good length and just around the off-stump.

- Live scorecard

Aus 56-0 (7 ovs)

Warner is content to play second fiddle at the moment as Wade attacks from the other end. Warner plays a short ball from Kulasekara through midwicket for two runs but the pacer keeps Warner tied down for the next few balls. The left-hander clips the final ball of that over through fine leg where Malinga misfields to give Australia three runs. 46-0 (6)

Meanwhile, Rajneesh Gupta writes on Twitter: "4th time J'wardene is leading SL in a ODI tournament final. Lost 2007 WC, but won next 2 -- Asia Cup (2008) & 3-Nations Trophy (2009).", while this is the "1st ODI tournament final for Michael Clarke as captain."

Maharoof comes to replace Malinga, who was hit for 18 runs in his last over. A good tidy for the Lankan pacer before Warner decides to break the shackles. He tries to heave a fourth ball of that over through the leg side but gets a thick outside edge which flies wide of the slip fielder for a four to bring up the 50 for Australia in 6.4 overs. However, he gets the next ball off the middle, pulling a short ball through midwicket for another boundary and gets a couple off the last ball to end a good over for the hosts.

Live scorecard

Aus 41-0 (5 ovs)

It's a good start for Australia. Wade and Warner keeping the scoreboard moving in the early overs with some good rotation of strike. The plan is not too take much risk against the new ball and so far it is going to plan for Australia. Kulasekara concedes five runs in his second over. Aus 23-0 (4)

Malinga is giving Wade a few problems with his change of pace. Wade is deceived yet again by the slower ball but he manages to chip it over the cover fielder to get three runs. The next ball, Warner takes on the bouncer and hits it over the square leg region to get another three runs.

It's getting a bit dark at the Gabba as Malinga bowls a wide bouncer down the leg side. Wade is yet again by the slower delivery from Malinga followed by a bouncer that is yet again called a wide.

Wade is standing outside the crease and this time he picks the slower ball from Malinga, launching it over the mid-on region for a huge six, the first of the final. Malinga errs with his length off the next ball and a wide full ball is sent crashing through the covers by Wade for a four  as he races to 28 from 16 balls.

A big over that for Australia as Malinga concedes 18 in his third over.

- Live scorecard

Aus 18-0 (3 ovs)

Nuwan Kulasekara also starts with a wide, pitching it wide outside the off-stump. A single each for Warner and Wade before the former slashes a wide ball through the off-side for his first boundary. Aus 13-0 (2 ovs)

Wade drives Malinga through mid-on where he gets three runs as Dammika Prasad is unable to stop it. Malinga leaves Wade in a shock as a quick bouncer nearly takes his head off. The next ball is a cleverly disguised slower ball which Wade spoons towards the mid-off but luckily for him the ball falls well short of Farvez Maharoff.

- Live scorecard

Matthew Wade and David Warner walk out to open for Australia. Lasith Malinga starts the final with a wide down the leg side to get Australia off the mark. Kumar Sangakkara appeals for caught behind against Matthew Wade off the fourth ball of the over.

Wade ends the over in style, as he cracks a wide delivery from Malinga through the covers fora  boundary.

- Live scorecard

Australia captain Michael Clarke is back to lead the hosts. He wins the toss and has no hesitation in electing to bat in the first final of the CB tri-series in Brisbane, on Sunday.

Peter Forrest has to make way for Clarke. Veteran pace Brett Lee has been included in the team in place of Clint McKay.

Sri Lanka have been forced to make a few changes because of injuries. Dammika Prasad and Farvez Maharoof come into the team in place of the injured duo of Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews. Upul Tharanga is the third change for the hosts, replacing off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake.