Steadfast Australians have the last laugh

When it mattered most, the Australians held their nerve in the
cauldron. They also played the key moments of the decider better.
Defending a modest target of 231 with great commitment, the host
finished at the right end of a tense game to triumph 2-1 in the
Commonwealth Bank ODI triangular series finals at the Adelaide Oval on
Thursday.
In the end, only 16 runs separated Sri Lanka from Australia. The Sri
Lankans fought hard but were let down by the big three in the
top-order – Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar
Sangakkara – who approached a target of 232as if it was 290-plus.
Had the Sri Lankans paced their innings more patiently– laying a solid
foundation was vital – they could have emerged victorious on a
sluggish track that suited their brand of cricket. The nature of the
score should determine a team's approach during a chase.
Hitting the right length and seaming the ball both ways from an
off-stump line, ClintMcKay emerged the game-changer. The
Man-of-the-Match also mixed his pace and posed searching questions to
the batsmen on a track more suited to spin. McKay's fivefor 28
showcased his heartand craft.
The lanky seamer, fittingly,finished off the innings when he fired out
Lasith Malinga with a yorker whenseven deliveries still remained in
the match. The Australians, jubilant yet relieved, gathered in a heap.
McKay had also batted with resolve. In fact, the defiant40-run
eighth-wicket partnership between Brett Lee and McKay was
anotherturning point of the game.