The Australians were reeling after losing their previous
seven matches in all forms of cricket and had already conceded the three-match
series after defeats in the first two encounters.
Clint McKay took 5-33 with fellow quick Mitchell Starc
chipping in with 4-27 to dismiss the Sri Lankans for a paltry 115, however, and
the Australian batsmen took just 21.4 overs to reach their victory target at
the cost of two wickets.
Michael Clarke, standing in for rested skipper Ricky
Ponting, was in impressive form and grabbed the winning runs by guiding the
ball down to third man for a four, bringing up his 50 in the process.
McKay had given the hosts the perfect start at the Gabba
with two wickets in the third over of the day and he struck again in his next
over to reduce the Sri Lankans to 3-14.
Ably supported by his 20-year-old fellow quick Starc,
McKay returned to help mop up the Sri Lankan tail end and claim his first
five-wicket haul in one-day internationals.
Chamara Silva, who made 33, and opener Upul Tharanga (28)
top-scored for Sri Lanka but there was none of the flourish to their batting
that saw them secure their first series victory on Australian soil on Friday.
The opening Ashes Test is also at the Gabba and the
bounce and pace evident in the pitch on Sunday augured well for an entertaining
contest starting on Nov 25.
