AUSTRALIA has finally won a match against Sri Lanka…

AUSTRALIA has finally won a match against Sri Lanka, taking out the first one-day international in Colombo after half-centuries from Steve Smith and Aaron Finch.

Set a target of 228 to win a turning track, Australia got home with 19 balls to spare and three wickets in hand, with Mitchell Starc (5) and James Faulkner (5) the not out batsmen.

MATCH CENTRE: Tap here for a full scoreboard, video of every wicket, ball-by-ball commentary and extensive statistics

Earlier in the day, it was Starc and Faulkner who helped restrict Sri Lanka to a sub-250 total. Starc finished with figures of 3-32 off 10 overs as he set a new record for the fewest ODIs to take 100 wickets (52 matches), while Faulkner took 4-38 off 10.

Finch then took over, hammering 56 off 46 to get Australia off to the perfect start with the bat, before falling in controversial circumstances.

The Victorian was adjuged to have been caught at first slip off the bowling of Amila Aponso, but only after a long inspection by the third umpire. Unsure if it was bump ball or not, onfield umpire Aleem Dar sent it upstairs and while it was clear that it was not bump ball, there was no solid evidence either way over whether or not Finch had edged it.

After close to five minutes of inspection the third umpire deemed it a legitimate wicket, upholding Dar’s original decision.

Smith (58 off 92) and Bailey (39 off 54) then took over to set-up what should have been an easy victory. However, four wickets from Sri Lanka’s spinners between the 38th and 46th overs ensured that Australia could not relax until the job was done.

See how the action unfolded in our blog below, and scroll underneath that to get all the key information about the one-day series between Sri Lanka and Australia.