SYDNEY: Australia, powered by centuries from skipper Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds, crushed Sri Lanka by 167 runs to level the three-match triangular one-day series final at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

There was only ever one winner after the Australians amassed their highest one-day total of 368 for five off 50 overs. The Sri Lankans found it a far too difficult assignment and succumbed to be all out for 201 off just 36 overs.

Coming together at a perilous 10 for three after the first 18 balls, Ponting clobbered 124 off 127 balls and man-of-the-match Symonds pounded the highest one-day innings of 151 off 127 balls at the ground to surpass Australia's all-wicket partnership record with 237.

Day of records

In a day of records, Australia's 368 for five also bettered the previous highest innings of 359, set twice against India, in the 2003 World Cup final in Johannesburg and two years ago in Sydney.

Ponting and Symonds surpassed Australia's previous best one-day stand of 234 between Ponting and Damien Martyn for the third wicket in the 2003 World Cup final against India.

Australia now takes a winning momentum into Tuesday's deciding third final at Brisbane's Gabba ground.

"Although things didn't start well for us we witnessed one of the best batting displays you'll ever seen from Symonds," Ponting said. "His innings was very special and for a team to post 368 after being three for 10 is pretty spectacular stuff."

Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu said: "We're glad to be in the final contrary to the form we've been in the past few months and we'll just keep enjoying every moment of it in the third final."

Australia was in trouble early on, losing the wickets of Adam Gilchrist (0), Simon Katich (1) and Martyn (8), all to the swing left-arm bowling of Chaminda Vaas. But Ponting and Symonds combined to snatch the match away from the Sri Lankans with their overpowering partnership.

Ponting scored his 19th one-day century, passing Mark Waugh's 18 as the most by an Australian, while Symonds hit his fourth one-day century and first in Australia.

Symonds also claimed the highest one-day score on the famous ground, surpassing the 130 by India's Yuvraj Singh against Australia in January 2004. It was a stunning about-turn after Vaas claimed the big wicket of Gilchrist with his second ball, caught by Tillekeratne Dilshan at point and he was joined by fellow opener Katich, who was leg before wicket for one. Martyn soon followed, caught at slip by Mahela Jayawardene.

Michael Clarke rounded off the innings with an unbeaten 54 off 28 balls and with Mike Hussey (23 off eight balls) put on 48 for the unfinished sixth wicket.

Muralitharan was punished, spanked for 99 runs, the most conceded by a bowler in a 10-over spell in one-day cricket. Vaas finished with four for 56 off his 10 overs.

Once Sri Lanka lost its top four batsmen — Sanath Jayasuriya (0), Kumar Sangakkara (13), Marvan Atapattu (24) and Jayawardene (50 off 48 balls) — it was always struggling in the face of Australia's massive total. Arnold hit out lustily at the death to finish an unbeaten 64 off 62 balls. — AFP

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