At R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, August 30 (day/night). Sri Lanka won by four wickets. Toss: Australia. International debuts: J. N. Gillespie, D. S. Lehmann.

Sri Lanka delighted a packed house with a reprise of their World Cup victory. There was a special roar when Australian captain Healy was out – caught Ranatunga, bowled Muralitharan. Healy had cast aspersions on Ranatunga in a recent book and Muralitharan was considered a martyr because of allegations of throwing during Sri Lanka's torrid tour of Australia seven months before. Loud boos followed Healy all the way to the middle, but they were nothing to the cheers that saw him off. As in the World Cup final, Sri Lanka had some early scares; they were gravely ill at 81 for five, after Fleming took three wickets in eight balls. But, strangely, Fleming and McGrath were left in the outfield while De Silva and Mahanama provided a 115-run transfusion.

Man of the Match: P. A. De Silva.

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