Brisbane: Sri Lanka found prodigious swing today to shoot out Australia for 74 runs, their lowest ODI total in 27 years, and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The tourists also swung their bats at everything Australia threw at them, missing frequently and losing six wickets before struggling to 75.
It was replacement wicket-keeper Kushal Perera, showing great poise and power with the ball zipping around, who found the boundaries after tea to ensure victory.
The youngster was not out 22, the same total as Dilshan who rode his luck before edging Johnson to Clarke in the slips with the score on 33.
Man-of-the-Match Nuwan Kulasekara did the damage for Sri Lanka taking five wickets for 22 and Lasith Malinga picked up three for 14.
Australia’s lowest ODI score of 70 came against England in 1977, with the embarrassing scoreline repeated against New Zealand in 1986.
Here, at one stage, Australia were 40-9, but ninth man Starc helped them avoid the ignominy of a new record-low with a knock of 22 when double figures looked near impossible.
Last man Xavier Doherty was the only other to do much, scoring 15. (AFP)
Brief scores:
Aus: 74 all out (M Starc 22; N Kulasekara 5-22, L Malinga 3-14).
SL: 75-6 (K Perera 22 not out; T Dilshan 22; M Johnson 3-11)