Australia through to finals

Cricket

Cricket

Mark Waugh's career-best one-day score of 130 yesterday helped Australia to an 83-run victory over Sri Lanka and guaranteed them a place in the best-of-three World Series final.

Sri Lanka, already embarrassed by one of their bowlers being called for throwing, had Asanka Gurusinha reprimanded by the match referee Graham Dowling for bringing the game into disrepute when he and Steve Waugh exchanged words after Waugh delivered a wide.

Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana put on 56 in pursuit of Australia's 266 for 6. But the loss of four wickets for 11 left their challenge in tatters and they finished on 183 for 9.

Waugh dominated an opening stand of 189 off 216 balls with his captain, Mark Taylor, who made 85. It beat the previous Australian first-wicket record stand of 182 compiled by Rick McCosker and Alan Turner during the 1975 World Cup.

Sri Lanka must now win their remaining two matches to qualify for the final.