Tillakaratne Dilshan ran out four players in a brilliant display of fielding to inspire Sri Lanka to a stunning 22-run win over Australia in the first VB Series one-day final at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Dilshan ran out Ricky Ponting for a duck before the Australian skipper had faced a single ball then Damien Martyn (one), Simon Katich (56) and Mike Hussey (16).
The world champions collapsed to 252 all out in their final over when Michael Clarke was run out for 80 by Sanath Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka, who had only scraped into the best-of-three finals series when South Africa lost their last three preliminary games, had piled on 274 for eight from their 50 overs and were always in control as the Australian batting self-destructed.
"We had a few brain-snaps during our batting. It was just one of those nights where there were a few communication mix-ups and it cost us," Ponting said at the post-match presentation.
"We've only gone down by 22 runs in the end so a couple of those run-outs and it might have been a different story but full credit to Sri Lanka, they played a really good game
"We made over 250 and did as much wrong as we possibly could so I'm sure we can bounce back. We were playing great cricket before tonight."
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara was named man of the match after grafting a patient 83 off 106 balls while captain Marvan Atapattu made a careful 53 from 77 deliveries to lay the foundations for the tailend to push the total past 270 with a late flourish.
"We were clearly the underdogs coming into the series," Atapattu said.
"People thought it was a two-horse race (between Australia and South Africa) but here we are and the third horse has won the first final."
FINAL FLURRY
Sangakkara and Atapattu's half-centuries paved the way for Chamara Kapugedera and Dilshan to chance their arm in the final overs.
The tourists belted 88 off the last 10 overs with Kapugedera smacking 38 off only 21 balls, including two fours and three massive sixes, and Dilshan finishing unbeaten on 26 from only 20 deliveries.
Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken was the pick of the Australian bowlers, capturing three for 61, while all-rounder Andrew Symonds took four catches in the innings, including a brilliant reflex catch off his bowling to dismiss the talented Sangakkara.
Australia made a bright start to their reply with Katich and Adam Gilchrist putting on 51 in the first 10 overs for the opening wicket when the wheels suddenly fell off.
Muttiah Muralitharan bagged three late wickets from his 10 overs but it was Dilshan's fielding that ultimately turned the match Sri Lanka's way.
Apart from his four run-outs, which bettered the three run-outs West Indian Viv Richards made against Australia in the 1975 World Cup final, he also took a sharp catch to dismiss super-sub James Hopes.
The second match in the best-of-three finals series will be held in Sydney on Sunday with the third game to be played at Brisbane on Tuesday, if required.
