SEARCH LATEST NEWS TRI Home Privacy Archive TRI POSTED BY EIZ ON THURSDAY, 08 MARCH, 2012, 12:06 PM GO TRI.png Australia held their nerve to win the deciding third match of the tri-series final against Sri Lanka by 16 runs at the Adelaide Oval. Shane Watson's side batted first and posted 231 as the hosts were bowled out with three balls of their innings ... Share | TRI Posted byo Eiz n Thursday, 08 March, 2012, 12:06 PM Australia held their nerve to win the deciding third match of the tri-series final against Sri Lanka by 16 runs at the Adelaide Oval. Shane Watson's side batted first and posted 231 as the hosts were bowled out with three balls of their innings remaining with David Warner and Matthew Wade both falling with their half-centuries in sight. Upul Tharanga compiled a masterful 71 with wickets tumbling around him, and Mahela Jayawardene's side fell just short with seven deliveries remaining as Clint McKay produced an inspired spell with five wickets to close out victory. Australia selected two spinners but it was the quicker bowlers who made the difference with the outstanding McKay (5-28), Brett Lee (3-29) and stand-in skipper Shane Watson (2-13) all contributing as they dismissed Sri Lanka for 215 with six balls remaining. Australia will now retain the number one ranking in the one-day international championship for a third successive year unless they lose all five matches on their upcoming tour of West Indies. The Sri Lankans, who won the toss and elected to field, would have been delighted with their victory target of 232 after chasing down 272 with ease on the same ground two days ago to level the series. Their top order departed cheaply, however, and when skipper Jayawardene was bowled by McKay for 15 they were reduced to 53 for four and the match was in the balance. Lahiru Thirimanne (30) and Tharanga, who hit a defiant 71 from 122 balls, steadied the innings with a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket but the Australians managed to take key wickets at important moments. Watson removed Thirimanne and Tharanga, both caught, and McKay returned to seal the victory .