Sri Lanka pulled off one of the best ever victories in the history of ODI Cricket when they scraped through for a one-wicket victory in the 1st ODI against Australia at Melbourne. Down and out at 107 for 8 in a chase of 240, Sri Lanka was blessed by a spirited partnership of 132 between Man of the Match - Angelo Mathews (77* from 84 balls with 8 fours and a six) and Lasith Malinga (56 from 48 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes) which took them almost to the finish line. Malinga fell with just a run to get and leave Australia hoping to tie the game which wasn't to be as Muttiah Muralitharan hit his second ball for the winning boundary.
The visitors won the match with 34 balls to spare in this sensational victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia batting first after winning the toss were pegged down to 239 for 8. Michael Hussey top scored for them with an unbeaten 71 from 91 balls which had just the one four! Wicket Keeper Brad Haddin who opened the batting was the second highest scorer with 49. For the Lankans, swing bowler Thisara Perera claimed 5 for 46.
Sri Lanka in their run chase seemed to be getting on track with Kumar Sangakkara (49 from 46 balls) and Mahela Jayawardene at the crease until a middle order collapse ruled them out of the match. Debutant left arm spinner Xavier Doherty troubled the visitors by taking four wickets. By the 26th over, it seemed to be all over and the match was heading towards a quick finish when the 8th Lankan wicket fell down. But the match eventually ended in a completely unexpected finish of a Sri Lankan win.
