Maxwell ton fires Australia past Sri Lanka
Sangakkara first to score three successive World Cup hundreds
Australia stormed into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 64-run victory over Sri Lanka, fired by a spectacular maiden one-day international century from Glenn Maxwell at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Sri Lanka signalled that they are also in fine form for the knockout stages by having a good crack at what would have been a record run chase with Kumar Sangakkara becoming the first man to score three successive centuries at a World Cup.
They were always up against it after Maxwell's 53-ball 102 had helped Australia to 376-9, however, and it is the co-hosts who are now almost certain to finish second in Pool A and avoid champions India or South Africa in the quarter-finals.
Sri Lanka signalled that they are also in fine form for the knockout stages by having a good crack at what would have been a record run chase with Kumar Sangakkara becoming the first man to score three successive centuries at a World Cup.
They were always up against it after Maxwell's 53-ball 102 had helped Australia to 376-9, however, and it is the co-hosts who are now almost certain to finish second in Pool A and avoid champions India or South Africa in the quarter-finals.
On a night when the 40,000 crowd were thrilled by a feast of batting, it was Maxwell's deployment of the full array of shots in his prodigious armoury that proved decisive.
His hundred came off 51 balls, just one shy of the record for the quickest World Cup century, and he shared a 160-run partnership with Shane Watson, who hit 67 to celebrate his recall to the team.
Maxwell was dropped by a back-peddling Sangakkara on 95 and there was a nervous wait on 99, his chance of sharing the World Cup record with Irishman Kevin O'Brien disappearing when the umpire ruled a leg bye off the 50th ball he faced.
The century came up soon enough with two runs to mid-off, though, and his emotional celebration after reaching the milestone in his 43rd one-day innings was a graphic illustration of what it meant to a player often dismissed as a show-pony.
Steve Smith (72) and skipper Michael Clarke (68) had earlier steadied the innings with a partnership of 134 after openers David Warner (nine) and Aaron Finch (24) had been dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
Maxwell hit 10 fours and four sixes in his innings and the pyrotechnics continued when Sri Lanka came out to bat, Tillakaratne Dilshan setting the tone by spectacularly hitting six fours off Mitchell Johnson's third over.
Johnson had already dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne caught behind for one in his opening over to bring Dilshan and Sangakkara together at the crease.
While their 130-run partnership continued, it looked like Sri Lanka had a chance but once James Faulkner (3-48) trapped Dilshan in front for 62, it looked like an uphill struggle.
Sangakkara had already become only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to score 14,000 runs in one-day internationals and was not going to be denied his century, which he reached in as many balls with two runs to backward square.
He departed soon afterwards for 104, leaving Dinesh Chandimal, who hit 52 off 24 balls before retiring hurt, and Angelo Mathews (35) to lead the rearguard action.
They were finally dismissed for 312 after 46.2 overs.
His hundred came off 51 balls, just one shy of the record for the quickest World Cup century, and he shared a 160-run partnership with Shane Watson, who hit 67 to celebrate his recall to the team.
Maxwell was dropped by a back-peddling Sangakkara on 95 and there was a nervous wait on 99, his chance of sharing the World Cup record with Irishman Kevin O'Brien disappearing when the umpire ruled a leg bye off the 50th ball he faced.
The century came up soon enough with two runs to mid-off, though, and his emotional celebration after reaching the milestone in his 43rd one-day innings was a graphic illustration of what it meant to a player often dismissed as a show-pony.
Steve Smith (72) and skipper Michael Clarke (68) had earlier steadied the innings with a partnership of 134 after openers David Warner (nine) and Aaron Finch (24) had been dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
Maxwell hit 10 fours and four sixes in his innings and the pyrotechnics continued when Sri Lanka came out to bat, Tillakaratne Dilshan setting the tone by spectacularly hitting six fours off Mitchell Johnson's third over.
Johnson had already dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne caught behind for one in his opening over to bring Dilshan and Sangakkara together at the crease.
While their 130-run partnership continued, it looked like Sri Lanka had a chance but once James Faulkner (3-48) trapped Dilshan in front for 62, it looked like an uphill struggle.
Sangakkara had already become only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to score 14,000 runs in one-day internationals and was not going to be denied his century, which he reached in as many balls with two runs to backward square.
He departed soon afterwards for 104, leaving Dinesh Chandimal, who hit 52 off 24 balls before retiring hurt, and Angelo Mathews (35) to lead the rearguard action.
They were finally dismissed for 312 after 46.2 overs.
Scoreboard:
Australia
D. Warner c Prasanna b Malinga 9
A. Finch st Sangakkara b Prasanna 24
S. Smith c Perera b Dilshan 72
M. Clarke b Malinga 68
G. Maxwell c Malinga b Perera 102
S. Watson c Chandimal b Perera 67
J. Faulkner run out (Mathews) 0
B. Haddin c Perera b Mathews 25
M. Johnson not out 3
M. Starc run out (Perera/Mathews) 0
X. Doherty not out 0
Extras: (b1, lb1, w4) 6
Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 376
Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Warner), 2-41 (Finch), 3-175 (Clarke), 4-177 (Smith), 5-337 (Maxwell), 6-338 (Faulkner), 7-368 (Watson), 8-373 (Haddin), 9-374 (Starc)
Bowling: Malinga 10-0-59-2 (1w); Senanayake 9-0-59-0; Mathews 7-0-59-1 (2w); Prasanna 10-0-77-1; Perera 9-0-87-2 (1w); Dilshan 5-0-33-1
Sri Lanka
L. Thirimanne c Haddin b Johnson 1
T. Dilshan lbw b Faulkner 62
K. Sangakkara c Finch b Faulkner 104
M. Jayawardene run out (Clarke) 19
A. Mathews c Haddin b Watson 35
D. Chandimal retired hurt 52
T. Perera c Doherty b Johnson 8
U. Tharanga c Warner b Faulkner 4
S. Prasanna b Starc 9
S. Senanayake c Doherty b Starc 7
L. Malinga not out 0
Extras (b2, lb5, w4) 11
Total (9 wkts, 46.2 overs) 312
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Thirimanne), 2-135 (Dilshan), 3-188 (Jayawardene), 4-201 (Sangakkara), 5-283 (Mathews), 6-293 (Perera), 7-305 (Prasanna), 8-307 (Tharanga), 9-312 (Senanayake)
Bowling: Starc 8.2-0-29-2 (1w); Johnson 9-0-62-2 (2w); Watson 7-0-71-1; Doherty 7-0-60-0; Maxwell 6-0-35-0; Faulkner 9-0-48-3 (1w)
Result: Australia won by 64 runs
Toss: Australia
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Aleem Dar (PAK)
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
Sri Lanka innings
Australia
D. Warner c Prasanna b Malinga 9
A. Finch st Sangakkara b Prasanna 24
S. Smith c Perera b Dilshan 72
M. Clarke b Malinga 68
G. Maxwell c Malinga b Perera 102
S. Watson c Chandimal b Perera 67
J. Faulkner run out (Mathews) 0
B. Haddin c Perera b Mathews 25
M. Johnson not out 3
M. Starc run out (Perera/Mathews) 0
X. Doherty not out 0
Extras: (b1, lb1, w4) 6
Total (9 wkts, 50 overs) 376
Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Warner), 2-41 (Finch), 3-175 (Clarke), 4-177 (Smith), 5-337 (Maxwell), 6-338 (Faulkner), 7-368 (Watson), 8-373 (Haddin), 9-374 (Starc)
Bowling: Malinga 10-0-59-2 (1w); Senanayake 9-0-59-0; Mathews 7-0-59-1 (2w); Prasanna 10-0-77-1; Perera 9-0-87-2 (1w); Dilshan 5-0-33-1
Sri Lanka
L. Thirimanne c Haddin b Johnson 1
T. Dilshan lbw b Faulkner 62
K. Sangakkara c Finch b Faulkner 104
M. Jayawardene run out (Clarke) 19
A. Mathews c Haddin b Watson 35
D. Chandimal retired hurt 52
T. Perera c Doherty b Johnson 8
U. Tharanga c Warner b Faulkner 4
S. Prasanna b Starc 9
S. Senanayake c Doherty b Starc 7
L. Malinga not out 0
Extras (b2, lb5, w4) 11
Total (9 wkts, 46.2 overs) 312
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Thirimanne), 2-135 (Dilshan), 3-188 (Jayawardene), 4-201 (Sangakkara), 5-283 (Mathews), 6-293 (Perera), 7-305 (Prasanna), 8-307 (Tharanga), 9-312 (Senanayake)
Bowling: Starc 8.2-0-29-2 (1w); Johnson 9-0-62-2 (2w); Watson 7-0-71-1; Doherty 7-0-60-0; Maxwell 6-0-35-0; Faulkner 9-0-48-3 (1w)
Result: Australia won by 64 runs
Toss: Australia
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Aleem Dar (PAK)
TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
Sri Lanka innings
It's all over now bar the shouting for Sri Lanka as Tharanga perishes. SL 307-8, 45.2 overs.
Upul Tharanga c Warner b Faulkner 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Starc strikes beating Prasanna with a deadly yorker. SL 305-7, 44.3 overs.
Seekkuge Prasanna b Starc 9 (11b 1x4 0x6)
Johnson strikes as Thisara perishes slicing a short ball to mid-on. SL 293-6, 42.2 overs.
Thisara Perera c Doherty b Johnson 8 (3b 2x4 0x6)
Thisara opens with two consecutive boundaries off Watson. SL 292-5, 42 overs.
Watson strikes with a bouncer with Mathews getting a faint nick. SL 283-5, 41.3 overs.
Angelo Mathews c Haddin b Watson 35 (31b 2x4 1x6)
Chandimal retires injured with Sri Lanka needing 96 off 53 balls.
Chandimal completes his 13th ODI fifty off 22 balls.
Chandimal sizzles with a couple of boundaries off Watson. SL 272-4, 40 overs.
The 50 partnership between Chandimal and Mathews has come in 33 balls. SL 261-4, 39 overs.
Mathews attacks Doherty sweeping im for a six and boundary off the first two balls. SL 243-4, 37 oves.
Watson goes for 16 as Chandimal hammers a couple of boundaries and towering six. SL 224-4, 36 overs.
Chandimal opens his account with a boundary sweeping Doherty to square leg. SL 208-4, 35 overs.
Faulkner removes the dangerous Sangakkara who slices to Finch in the deep. SL 201-4, 33.5 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara c Finch b Faulkner 104 (107b 11x4 0x6)
Sangakkara clips Faulkner for a single and completes a run-a-ball century, his 24th ODI ton and first player to hit three consecutive centuries in the World Cup. SL 192-3, 32 overs.
Major blow as Jayawardena is run out by a direct hit from Clarke. SL 188-3, 31 overs.
Mahela Jayawardene run out 19 (22b 1x4 0x6)
Sangakkara is racing to his century hammering three consecutive boundaries off Faulkner after Sri Lanka take the Batting Powerplay early. 186-2, 30 overs.
Sri Lanka need 227 from 25 overs with Sangakkara and Jaywardene in the middle. SL 150-2, 25 overs.
Jayawardene gets going flicking Faulkner to midwicket for his first boundary.
Sri Lanka lose a decision review as Dilshan being adjuged leg before off Faulkner as he attempts to swing the bowler out of the ground. SL 135-2, 21.3 overs.
Tillakaratne Dilshan lbw b Faulkner 62 (60b 8x4 0x6)
Sangakkara is on song as Doherty goes for 13 with the left-hander spanking a couple of boundaries. SL 119-1, 17 overs.
The 100 partnership between Dilshan and Sangakkara comes off 86 balls. SL 106-1, 16 overs.
Dilshan gets to his 4rd ODI fifty off 42 balls.
Sangakkara completes his 94th ODI half century. SL 101-1, 15 overs.
Sangakkara cracks two consecutive boundaries off Maxwell, SL 96-1, 14 overs.
Sangakkara completes 14,000 ODI runs in his 402nd match.
Dilshan (46) gets a life with Clarke running back failing to latch onto a skier. SL 86-1, 13 overs.
Big over for Sri Lanka. Dilshan is turning it on punching Johnson down the ground twice, another two through midwicket and two more through the covers. SL 42-1, 6 overs.
First boundary for Sri Lanka as Sangakkara hooks a bouncer from Johnson which flies to square leg off a top edge. SL 13-1, 4 overs.
Johnson strikes with a rearing delivery to Thirimanne who fails to keep his bat away. SL 5-1, 1.4 overs.
Lahiru Thirimanne c Haddin b Johnson 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Australia innings
Upul Tharanga c Warner b Faulkner 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Starc strikes beating Prasanna with a deadly yorker. SL 305-7, 44.3 overs.
Seekkuge Prasanna b Starc 9 (11b 1x4 0x6)
Johnson strikes as Thisara perishes slicing a short ball to mid-on. SL 293-6, 42.2 overs.
Thisara Perera c Doherty b Johnson 8 (3b 2x4 0x6)
Thisara opens with two consecutive boundaries off Watson. SL 292-5, 42 overs.
Watson strikes with a bouncer with Mathews getting a faint nick. SL 283-5, 41.3 overs.
Angelo Mathews c Haddin b Watson 35 (31b 2x4 1x6)
Chandimal retires injured with Sri Lanka needing 96 off 53 balls.
Chandimal completes his 13th ODI fifty off 22 balls.
Chandimal sizzles with a couple of boundaries off Watson. SL 272-4, 40 overs.
The 50 partnership between Chandimal and Mathews has come in 33 balls. SL 261-4, 39 overs.
Mathews attacks Doherty sweeping im for a six and boundary off the first two balls. SL 243-4, 37 oves.
Watson goes for 16 as Chandimal hammers a couple of boundaries and towering six. SL 224-4, 36 overs.
Chandimal opens his account with a boundary sweeping Doherty to square leg. SL 208-4, 35 overs.
Faulkner removes the dangerous Sangakkara who slices to Finch in the deep. SL 201-4, 33.5 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara c Finch b Faulkner 104 (107b 11x4 0x6)
Sangakkara clips Faulkner for a single and completes a run-a-ball century, his 24th ODI ton and first player to hit three consecutive centuries in the World Cup. SL 192-3, 32 overs.
Major blow as Jayawardena is run out by a direct hit from Clarke. SL 188-3, 31 overs.
Mahela Jayawardene run out 19 (22b 1x4 0x6)
Sangakkara is racing to his century hammering three consecutive boundaries off Faulkner after Sri Lanka take the Batting Powerplay early. 186-2, 30 overs.
Sri Lanka need 227 from 25 overs with Sangakkara and Jaywardene in the middle. SL 150-2, 25 overs.
Jayawardene gets going flicking Faulkner to midwicket for his first boundary.
Sri Lanka lose a decision review as Dilshan being adjuged leg before off Faulkner as he attempts to swing the bowler out of the ground. SL 135-2, 21.3 overs.
Tillakaratne Dilshan lbw b Faulkner 62 (60b 8x4 0x6)
Sangakkara is on song as Doherty goes for 13 with the left-hander spanking a couple of boundaries. SL 119-1, 17 overs.
The 100 partnership between Dilshan and Sangakkara comes off 86 balls. SL 106-1, 16 overs.
Dilshan gets to his 4rd ODI fifty off 42 balls.
Sangakkara completes his 94th ODI half century. SL 101-1, 15 overs.
Sangakkara cracks two consecutive boundaries off Maxwell, SL 96-1, 14 overs.
Sangakkara completes 14,000 ODI runs in his 402nd match.
Dilshan (46) gets a life with Clarke running back failing to latch onto a skier. SL 86-1, 13 overs.
Big over for Sri Lanka. Dilshan is turning it on punching Johnson down the ground twice, another two through midwicket and two more through the covers. SL 42-1, 6 overs.
First boundary for Sri Lanka as Sangakkara hooks a bouncer from Johnson which flies to square leg off a top edge. SL 13-1, 4 overs.
Johnson strikes with a rearing delivery to Thirimanne who fails to keep his bat away. SL 5-1, 1.4 overs.
Lahiru Thirimanne c Haddin b Johnson 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)
Australia innings
Glenn Maxwell hit a spectacular maiden one-day international century to drive Australia to an imposing 376 for nine in their World Cup Pool A clash with Sri Lanka on Sunday.
The first hundred of Maxwell's 102 runs came off 51 balls, just one shy of the record for the quickest World Cup century, and he shared a 160-run partnership with Shane Watson, who hit 67 to celebrate his recall to the team.
Looking to secure second place in the pool behind New Zealand and avoid a quarter-final meeting with India or South Africa, the Australians had initially batted with caution at a sun-bathed Sydney Cricket Ground.
Steve Smith and skipper Michael Clarke steadied the innings with half centuries after openers David Warner (nine) and Aaron Finch (24) had been dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
Smith and Clarke's partnership of 134 took Australia to 175 for two before they departed in successive overs having laid a solid platform for the ballistics to come.
Clarke, who won the toss and sent his team in to bat, hit a run-a-ball 68 before being comprehensively bowled by one of Lasith Malinga's trademark yorkers.
That brought Maxwell to the crease and after Smith had been caught in the deep for 72, he decided to play his natural game and take on the Sri Lanka bowlers.
Displaying the full array of shots in his prodigious armoury, Maxwell secured his third half-century of the tournament from 26 balls with his third six in little over half an hour.
He was dropped by a back-peddling Kumar Sangakkara on 95 and there was a nervous wait on 99, his chance of sharing the World Cup record with Irishman Kevin O'Brien disappearing when the umpire ruled a leg bye off the 50th ball he faced.
The century came up soon enough with two runs to mid-off, though, and his emotional celebration after reaching the milestone in his 43rd one-day innings was a graphic explanation of what it meant to a player often dismissed as a show-pony.
He got a big bear-hug from Watson, who continued the assault on the Sri Lanka bowlers once Maxwell had been caught off a Thisara Perera full toss having hit 10 fours and four sixes in his 75-minute knock.
Watson had a point to prove after being dropped from Australia's previous match against Afghanistan and he grabbed his first half-century in his last seven innings.
Starc is run out turning back for a second. Aus 374-9, 49.4 overs.
Mitchell Starc run out 0 (0b 0x4 0x6)
Haddin goes after a superb cameo. Aus 373-8, 49.3 overs.
Brad Haddin c Perera b Mathews 25 (9b 4x4 1x6) S
Perera goes for 19 with Haddin hammering a six and three boundaries in succession before Chandimal hangs onto a skier from Watson. Aus 368-7, 49 overs.
Shane Watson c Chandimal b Perera 67 (41b 7x4 2x6)
Faulkner is run out first ball. Aus 338-6, 46.3 overs.
James Faulkner run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
Maxwell's wonderful knock comes to an end hitting Perera straight to mid-on and departing to a standing ovation. Aus 337-5, 46.1 overs.
Glenn Maxwell c Malinga b Perera 102 (53b 10x4 4x6)
Maxwell is overwhelmed after completing his maiden ODI century off 51 balls, the second fastest World Cup century. Aus 337-4, 45 overs.
Watson smashes two consecutive boundaries off Prasanna to get his 32nd ODI fifty off 31 balls.
Mathews was tonked for a six by Watson and Maxwell (96) getting his highest ODI score. Aus 315-4, 44 overs.
Sangakkara makes a valiant effort to catch a skier from Maxwell running back and gettin his finger tips to it.
The last 10 overs has produced 122 runs with Maxwell (89) having scored his highest World Cup score.
Maxwell is on his way to a fastest World Cup century smashing another full toss from Thisara for his fourth six. Aus 300-4, 43 overs.
Watson does a Maxwell clubbing a full toss from Thisara over midwicket for a maximum.
The 100 partnership between Maxwell and Watson comes off just 54 balls. Aus 280-4, 42 overs.
It's raining boundaries from the blade of Maxwell who is picking the gaps easily against a hapless Prasanna. Aus 270-4, 41 overs.
Watson gets his third boundary clipping Malinga to midwicket as Australia make 54 in the Batting Powerplay. Aus 253-4, 40 overs.
Maxwell races to his 12th ODI fifty off just 26 balls with his third six clubbing Thisara over midwicket. Aus 245-4, 39 overs.
Malinga goes for 16 with Watson joining the party by smashing a couple of boundaries. Aus 235-4, 38 overs.
Incredible shot by Maxwell as he swats Prasanna over square leg for a six and then gets a boundary with a reverse hit. Aus 219-4, 37 overs.
The last eight overs have yielded 73 runs for the loss of Clarke and Smith as the Batting Powerplay begins. Aus 199-4, 35 overs.
Maxwell is on fire lofting Dilshan for a boundary and a towering six off consecutive balls. Aus 199-4, 35 overs.
Thisara takes a superb catch as Smith tries to his Dilshan out of the ground. Aus 177-4, 32.3 overs.
Steven Smith c Perera b Dilshan 72 (88b 7x4 1x6)
Malinga strikes a deadly blow rattling Clarke's stumps after the Australian captain middled a yorker to the boundary previous ball. Aus 175-3, 31.5 overs.
Michael Clarke b Malinga 68 (68b 6x4 0x6)
Clarke cracks two consecutive boundaries off Thisara. Aus 159-2, 30 overs.
Smith steps out and hammers the first six of the match off Senanayake. Aus 149-2, 29 overs.
Clarke completes his 57th ODI half century off 56 balls.
The 100 partnership between Clarke and Smith comes off 120 balls.
Vintage Clarke as he punches Mathews through the covers for a boundary after the drinks interval. Aus 135-2, 28 overs.
Smith paddle sweeps Dilshan to the fine leg fence to bring up his fifth ODI half century off 74 balls with six boundaries. Aus 114-2, 25 overs.
Smith gives himself room and cuts Prasanna past backward point for a boundary. Aus 107-3, 24 overs.
Clarke gets his first boundary opening his shoulders and lofting Thisara to long on to bring up the 50 partnership with Smith off 74 balls. Aus 93-2, 21 overs.
Smith is on song on driving Thisara down the ground for a boundary. Aus 72-2, 15 overs.
Smith cracks a couple of boundaries off Mathews as Australia get 49-2 in the Powerplay overs.
Prasanna strikes with his fourth delivery luring out Finch who is beaten in flight and Sangakkara does the rest. Aus 41-2, 8.4 overs.
Aaron Finch st Sangakkara b Prasanna 24 (24b 3x4 0x6)
Sri Lanka lose the decision review as Mathews fails to overturn the not out verdict for a leg before appeal off Smith. Aus 37-1, 8 overs.
Senanayake strays on the leg side and Finch punishes him. Aus 32-1, 6 overs.
Smith breaks the shackles with a classic cover drive off Malinga to open his account with a boundary. Aus 24-1, 5 overs.
Malinga strikes with a yorker followed by a slower delivery which is chipped to extra cover by Warner. Aus 19-1, 4.2 overs.
David Warner c Prasanna b Malinga 9 (12b 1x4 0x6)
Warner gets going chipping Senanayake over extra cover for a boundary. Aus 19-0, 4 overs.
Finch hits the first boundary of the match punching a wide ball from Malinga through the offside.
Spinner Senanayake shares the new ball with Malinga.
Sri Lanka have made three changes, with Seekkuge Prasanna, Upul Tharanga and Sachithra Senanayake coming in for the injured Dimuth Karunaratne and Rangana Herath, while Suranga Lakmal is the other exclusion.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood and Shaun Marsh making way for Xavier Doherty and Shane Watson.
Australia have won the toss and will bat first.
Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mithcell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Charith Senanayake, Lasith Malinga
Preview
Sri Lanka are slowly coming to the boil at the World Cup after a poor warm-up tour of New Zealand and are aiming to peak for the knockout stages, skipper Angelo Mathews said on Saturday.
Three victories in their first four matches, including a nine-wicket thumping of England last time out, mean the Sri Lankans will approach Sunday's crunch Pool A match against co-hosts Australia full of confidence.
That was not the case at the start of the campaign when, having lost a seven-match series against New Zealand 4-2, they were beaten by 98 runs by the co-hosts in the tournament opener.
The first hundred of Maxwell's 102 runs came off 51 balls, just one shy of the record for the quickest World Cup century, and he shared a 160-run partnership with Shane Watson, who hit 67 to celebrate his recall to the team.
Looking to secure second place in the pool behind New Zealand and avoid a quarter-final meeting with India or South Africa, the Australians had initially batted with caution at a sun-bathed Sydney Cricket Ground.
Steve Smith and skipper Michael Clarke steadied the innings with half centuries after openers David Warner (nine) and Aaron Finch (24) had been dismissed inside the first 10 overs.
Smith and Clarke's partnership of 134 took Australia to 175 for two before they departed in successive overs having laid a solid platform for the ballistics to come.
Clarke, who won the toss and sent his team in to bat, hit a run-a-ball 68 before being comprehensively bowled by one of Lasith Malinga's trademark yorkers.
That brought Maxwell to the crease and after Smith had been caught in the deep for 72, he decided to play his natural game and take on the Sri Lanka bowlers.
Displaying the full array of shots in his prodigious armoury, Maxwell secured his third half-century of the tournament from 26 balls with his third six in little over half an hour.
He was dropped by a back-peddling Kumar Sangakkara on 95 and there was a nervous wait on 99, his chance of sharing the World Cup record with Irishman Kevin O'Brien disappearing when the umpire ruled a leg bye off the 50th ball he faced.
The century came up soon enough with two runs to mid-off, though, and his emotional celebration after reaching the milestone in his 43rd one-day innings was a graphic explanation of what it meant to a player often dismissed as a show-pony.
He got a big bear-hug from Watson, who continued the assault on the Sri Lanka bowlers once Maxwell had been caught off a Thisara Perera full toss having hit 10 fours and four sixes in his 75-minute knock.
Watson had a point to prove after being dropped from Australia's previous match against Afghanistan and he grabbed his first half-century in his last seven innings.
Starc is run out turning back for a second. Aus 374-9, 49.4 overs.
Mitchell Starc run out 0 (0b 0x4 0x6)
Haddin goes after a superb cameo. Aus 373-8, 49.3 overs.
Brad Haddin c Perera b Mathews 25 (9b 4x4 1x6) S
Perera goes for 19 with Haddin hammering a six and three boundaries in succession before Chandimal hangs onto a skier from Watson. Aus 368-7, 49 overs.
Shane Watson c Chandimal b Perera 67 (41b 7x4 2x6)
Faulkner is run out first ball. Aus 338-6, 46.3 overs.
James Faulkner run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
Maxwell's wonderful knock comes to an end hitting Perera straight to mid-on and departing to a standing ovation. Aus 337-5, 46.1 overs.
Glenn Maxwell c Malinga b Perera 102 (53b 10x4 4x6)
Maxwell is overwhelmed after completing his maiden ODI century off 51 balls, the second fastest World Cup century. Aus 337-4, 45 overs.
Watson smashes two consecutive boundaries off Prasanna to get his 32nd ODI fifty off 31 balls.
Mathews was tonked for a six by Watson and Maxwell (96) getting his highest ODI score. Aus 315-4, 44 overs.
Sangakkara makes a valiant effort to catch a skier from Maxwell running back and gettin his finger tips to it.
The last 10 overs has produced 122 runs with Maxwell (89) having scored his highest World Cup score.
Maxwell is on his way to a fastest World Cup century smashing another full toss from Thisara for his fourth six. Aus 300-4, 43 overs.
Watson does a Maxwell clubbing a full toss from Thisara over midwicket for a maximum.
The 100 partnership between Maxwell and Watson comes off just 54 balls. Aus 280-4, 42 overs.
It's raining boundaries from the blade of Maxwell who is picking the gaps easily against a hapless Prasanna. Aus 270-4, 41 overs.
Watson gets his third boundary clipping Malinga to midwicket as Australia make 54 in the Batting Powerplay. Aus 253-4, 40 overs.
Maxwell races to his 12th ODI fifty off just 26 balls with his third six clubbing Thisara over midwicket. Aus 245-4, 39 overs.
Malinga goes for 16 with Watson joining the party by smashing a couple of boundaries. Aus 235-4, 38 overs.
Incredible shot by Maxwell as he swats Prasanna over square leg for a six and then gets a boundary with a reverse hit. Aus 219-4, 37 overs.
The last eight overs have yielded 73 runs for the loss of Clarke and Smith as the Batting Powerplay begins. Aus 199-4, 35 overs.
Maxwell is on fire lofting Dilshan for a boundary and a towering six off consecutive balls. Aus 199-4, 35 overs.
Thisara takes a superb catch as Smith tries to his Dilshan out of the ground. Aus 177-4, 32.3 overs.
Steven Smith c Perera b Dilshan 72 (88b 7x4 1x6)
Malinga strikes a deadly blow rattling Clarke's stumps after the Australian captain middled a yorker to the boundary previous ball. Aus 175-3, 31.5 overs.
Michael Clarke b Malinga 68 (68b 6x4 0x6)
Clarke cracks two consecutive boundaries off Thisara. Aus 159-2, 30 overs.
Smith steps out and hammers the first six of the match off Senanayake. Aus 149-2, 29 overs.
Clarke completes his 57th ODI half century off 56 balls.
The 100 partnership between Clarke and Smith comes off 120 balls.
Vintage Clarke as he punches Mathews through the covers for a boundary after the drinks interval. Aus 135-2, 28 overs.
Smith paddle sweeps Dilshan to the fine leg fence to bring up his fifth ODI half century off 74 balls with six boundaries. Aus 114-2, 25 overs.
Smith gives himself room and cuts Prasanna past backward point for a boundary. Aus 107-3, 24 overs.
Clarke gets his first boundary opening his shoulders and lofting Thisara to long on to bring up the 50 partnership with Smith off 74 balls. Aus 93-2, 21 overs.
Smith is on song on driving Thisara down the ground for a boundary. Aus 72-2, 15 overs.
Smith cracks a couple of boundaries off Mathews as Australia get 49-2 in the Powerplay overs.
Prasanna strikes with his fourth delivery luring out Finch who is beaten in flight and Sangakkara does the rest. Aus 41-2, 8.4 overs.
Aaron Finch st Sangakkara b Prasanna 24 (24b 3x4 0x6)
Sri Lanka lose the decision review as Mathews fails to overturn the not out verdict for a leg before appeal off Smith. Aus 37-1, 8 overs.
Senanayake strays on the leg side and Finch punishes him. Aus 32-1, 6 overs.
Smith breaks the shackles with a classic cover drive off Malinga to open his account with a boundary. Aus 24-1, 5 overs.
Malinga strikes with a yorker followed by a slower delivery which is chipped to extra cover by Warner. Aus 19-1, 4.2 overs.
David Warner c Prasanna b Malinga 9 (12b 1x4 0x6)
Warner gets going chipping Senanayake over extra cover for a boundary. Aus 19-0, 4 overs.
Finch hits the first boundary of the match punching a wide ball from Malinga through the offside.
Spinner Senanayake shares the new ball with Malinga.
Sri Lanka have made three changes, with Seekkuge Prasanna, Upul Tharanga and Sachithra Senanayake coming in for the injured Dimuth Karunaratne and Rangana Herath, while Suranga Lakmal is the other exclusion.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood and Shaun Marsh making way for Xavier Doherty and Shane Watson.
Australia have won the toss and will bat first.
Teams
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mithcell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Charith Senanayake, Lasith Malinga
Preview
Sri Lanka are slowly coming to the boil at the World Cup after a poor warm-up tour of New Zealand and are aiming to peak for the knockout stages, skipper Angelo Mathews said on Saturday.
Three victories in their first four matches, including a nine-wicket thumping of England last time out, mean the Sri Lankans will approach Sunday's crunch Pool A match against co-hosts Australia full of confidence.
That was not the case at the start of the campaign when, having lost a seven-match series against New Zealand 4-2, they were beaten by 98 runs by the co-hosts in the tournament opener.
"Coming into the World Cup, no one really gave us a chance, we had a pretty poor series against New Zealand and we weren't playing good cricket," Mathews told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
"We are picking ourselves up and I think we are peaking at the right time. It's going to be an even contest, from the quarter-finals onwards, whoever plays the best cricket will go on to win the World Cup."
Sunday's match is considered a crunch encounter because it is likely to determine which of the two teams finishes second in Pool A behind New Zealand and avoids India or South Africa in the quarter-finals.
Although Sri Lanka have not beaten Australia in five attempts at a World Cup since the 1996 final, they have won four of their last six matches against them at the SCG.
"Recently when we've played against Australia, we beat them in England and we beat them here, so we have the capacity, we have the skill, it's just they are a very hard team to beat," he said.
"But we've just got to flush out the past and go out an enjoy ourselves tomorrow."
With leg-spin bowling always traditionally a factor at the SCG, Mathews said Seekkuge Prasanna could be drafted straight into the team a day after being approved as an injury replacement.
Prasanna technically replaced batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who was sent home after breaking a bone in his hand, but in reality would be standing in for Rangana Herath, who has been sidelined for a week after cutting his spinning finger.
"We still haven't had a look at the wicket today, yesterday was completely different to what we saw on the first day," Mathews said.
"We still haven't decided on that, but he has a good chance."
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"We are picking ourselves up and I think we are peaking at the right time. It's going to be an even contest, from the quarter-finals onwards, whoever plays the best cricket will go on to win the World Cup."
Sunday's match is considered a crunch encounter because it is likely to determine which of the two teams finishes second in Pool A behind New Zealand and avoids India or South Africa in the quarter-finals.
Although Sri Lanka have not beaten Australia in five attempts at a World Cup since the 1996 final, they have won four of their last six matches against them at the SCG.
"Recently when we've played against Australia, we beat them in England and we beat them here, so we have the capacity, we have the skill, it's just they are a very hard team to beat," he said.
"But we've just got to flush out the past and go out an enjoy ourselves tomorrow."
With leg-spin bowling always traditionally a factor at the SCG, Mathews said Seekkuge Prasanna could be drafted straight into the team a day after being approved as an injury replacement.
Prasanna technically replaced batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who was sent home after breaking a bone in his hand, but in reality would be standing in for Rangana Herath, who has been sidelined for a week after cutting his spinning finger.
"We still haven't had a look at the wicket today, yesterday was completely different to what we saw on the first day," Mathews said.
"We still haven't decided on that, but he has a good chance."
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