Bevan guides Australia home after Muralitharan inspired collapse

Middle order batsman Michael Bevan scored a nerveless unbeaten 45 to rescue Australia after a Muttiah Muralitharan inspired collapse in their one-day triangular series international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Chasing a moderate 212 for victory, Australia were forced to work hard for victory after slipping to 100 for four, eventually winning by four wickets in the penultimate over of the innings.

The world champions had appeared to be cruising to victory after a run-a-ball 76 run opening stand between Matthew Hayden (42) and Jimmy Maher (30).

However, the introduction of Muralitharan precipitated a collapse as the off-spinner grabbed three wickets and Australia lost four wickets for 24 runs in the space of 10.5 overs.

Maher, opening in place of the rested Adam Gilchrist, was brilliantly stumped by swiveling wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara who was forced to move quickly down the leg-side and throw down the stumps on the turn.

Sri Lanka's comeback really took off when Muralitharan snared Hayden as the left-hander top-edged an attempted sweep and was well-caught by Dilhara Fernando on the square leg boundary.

Muralitharan then deceived Damian Martyn (1) in the air next over, bowling the right-hander through the gate.

When Aravinda de Silva lured a struggling Ricky Ponting, who faced 40 deliveries for his 15 runs, down to the wicket to give a juggling Sangakkara his second stumping Sri Lanka were filled with real hope.

But Bevan and Darren Lehmann, who scored 38 from 49 balls, consolidated calmly as skipper Sanath Jayasuriya felt compelled to take off his premier bowler and save three overs for later in the innings.

The gamble backfired as the pair milked singles easily off Sri Lanka's support bowlers, compiling a match winning 72 run partnership for the fifth wicket.

When Lehmann was run out by a lithe piece of fielding from Russel Arnold Australia were virtually home and dry on 172 for five with 10.2 overs to score 40 runs.

A thigh injury to Muralitharan, who still had two overs to bowl, further hindered Sri Lanka's chances.

The off-spinner had to be helped off the field by physio Alex Kontouri but, although only able to hobble into bowl, he resumed his spell and took the wicket of all-rounder Shane Watson, who paddled straight into the hands of Hashan Tillakaratne at mid-wicket.

The wicket took him past Anil Kumble onto to 304 one-day wickets, making him the third highest wicket-taker and the most successful spinner in the history of the limited overs game.

With Muralitharan having completed his magnificent spell, in which he claimed four wickets for 27, Bevan lived up to his reputation as the "finisher" by guiding Australia home with seven balls to spare, finishing with an unbeaten 45 from 79 balls.

Earlier, Australia had produced a slick performance in the field to restrict Sri Lanka to a moderate 211.

Sri Lanka never fully recovered from the early loss of three top order wickets, including the run out of inform Sanath Jayasuriya (6) and Hashan Tillakaratne (7), as they collapsed to 35 for three.

Marvan Atapattu (70) and Mahela Jayawardene (56) partially repaired the damage with a record 112 fourth wicket stand against Australia, surpassing the 103 scored by Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga at Colombo in 1996.

However, the Australian bowling was tight and the fielding was sharp, the fielders regularly hitting the stumps directly and diving successfully in the outfield, never allowing the Sri Lanka pair to dominate.

When Atapattu, who top scored with 70 from 101 balls, top edged a pull off Glenn McGrath the innings once again lost momentum as Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 54 runs in their last 16 overs.

The innings would have come to a complete standstill after the dismissal of Jayawardene had Sangakkara not clubbed 42 from 42 balls including two boundaries in the last over.

Australia picked up five points for their efforts, further extending their lead at the top of the table, whilst Sri Lanka pick up a solitary point that now leaves them just one point behind England with two games remaining each.

Sri Lanka play England on Friday at Adelaide in a crucial match that looks set to decide who faces Australia in the triangular series finals.