Australia suffered a jolt ahead of their cricket tri-series finals against India when they lost an inconsequential cricket tri-series game against Sri Lanka by a narrow margin of 13 runs in Melbourne on Friday.
Chasing Sri Lanka's competitive total of 221, the world champions got off to a flying start with Adam Gilchrist (83 off 50 balls) launching a blistering assault but completely lost the plot after his dismisal to be bundled out for 208 in 48.1 overs.
It was dramatic collapse by the Australians who were cruising comfortably at 113 for one at one stage before losing their remaining nine wickets for just 95 runs in a thrilling floodlit encounter at the MCG, allowing the islanders to salvage some pride.
The Sri Lankans, who have already been eliminated from the title race, fought back brilliantly after an early collapse to not only end the series on a winning note but also dent Australia's confidence a little bit ahead of the best-of-three finals against India beginning in Sydney on Sunday.
The two Aussie tailenders Brett Lee (37) and Nathan Bracken (14 not out) raised hopes of a stunning victory by putting on 35 runs for the last wicket leaving the Sri Lankans a little worried.
With the home team needing 14 runs in the last two overs, the Sri Lankan captain gambled by bringing in Sanath Jayasuriya and the wily veteran struck in his first ball by castling Lee.
The victory was the perfect gift the Lankans could give to their two senior teammates -- Sanath Jayasuriya and spin wizard Muthiah Muralitharan -- who played their last match on Australian soil.
Electing to bat, Tillakaratne Dilshan (61) and captain Mahela Jayawardene (51) were the main contributors for Sri Lanka as the duo pulled the team out of a precarious 61 for four to give some respectibility to the total.
The home team began the run chase with a flourish as retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist plundered runs at will, clobbering 11 boundaries and two sixes in his 50-ball 83. But the complexion of the game changed in a dramatic fashion from the 15th over onwards.
With the burly Matthew Hayden being rested for the game, Gilchrist had James Hopes as his opening partner and the two added 107 for the first wicket.
Muralitharan provided the breakthrough by getting rid of of Hopes and paceman Kulasekara brought more joy for the team by evicting the dangerous Gilchrist which turned out to be the turning point.
The Australian innings suddenly went topsy-turvy from then on as captain Ricky Ponting (1) Michael Clarke (0), Andrew Symonds (0), Michael Hussey (5) and Brad Haddin (7) returned to the pavilion without troubling the scorer much.
