Cricket: Taylor steers Australians towards last-over triumph

Sri Lanka 255-9 Australia 257-5 (Australia win by five wickets)

Australia were in record-breaking mood at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday as they beat Sri Lanka by five wickets with two balls to spare in their World Series match.

Michael Bevan hammered a boundary off the fourth ball of the final over to lift the Australians to their third successive victory in the triangular tournament. Chasing Sri Lanka's score of 255 for 9 off 50 overs, Australia scored 257 for 5 - the highest winning total for a side batting second in a one-day international at this ground.

Australia's captain, Mark Taylor, laid the foundation for victory with a methodical 90 off 115 balls before being run out in the 41st over to set up an exciting finish. Ricky Ponting, playing in only his ninth one- day international, put together a mature 56 in steering his side to the verge of victory, before being caught in the deep by Muttiah Muralitharan in the 48th over.

"To chase 250 or so in Sydney under lights is a good effort," Taylor said. "The wicket was a lot harder than in recent years. A couple of seasons ago that target would have been out of the question, but today it was achievable."

Aravinda de Silva had punished Australia's inexperienced attack with 75 off 94 balls to give Sri Lanka a good chance of ending Australia's unbeaten run. He eventually fell when he fended a short ball from Shane Lee straight back to the bowler. Australia lead the competition with six points, four ahead of Sri Lanka, who have played two games. The West Indies have lost their opening three games.

WORLD SERIES ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (Sydney): Sri Lanka 255 for 9 (50 overs; P A de Silva 75, H P Tillakaratne 62); Australia 257 for 5 (49.4 overs; M A Taylor 90, R T Ponting 56, M E Waugh 55). Australia win by five wickets.