Live Commentary: World Cup - Australia vs. Sri Lanka - as it happened

Hello everyone! Another World Cup game is ahead of us as Australia take on Pool A rivals Sri Lanka in Sydney, with the winner securing a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament. I'll be taking you through all of the action over the next few overs, so don't go anywhere!

In truth, it would be a huge surprise if both these sides didn't reach the next stage. Sri Lanka are currently second in Pool A, one point and one place above Australia. Both of these teams have suffered their only defeat to the impressive New Zealand. It's a difficult one to pick. Can Australia make home advantage count?

Things are heating up in Sydney and the players are ready for action. Who are you picking? #AUS or #SL? https://t.co/9KYJlBzWxx #AUSvSL — Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 8, 2015

AUSTRALIA WIN THE TOSS AND WILL BAT FIRST: Angelo Mathews calls incorrectly at the toss and Michael Clarke confirms that his side will bat first on what looks to be a very dry pitch at the SCG. After failing with the bat against New Zealand, the co-hosts will be desperate to return to form today.

TEAM NEWS: Australia have made two changes to the side that thrashed Afghanistan. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood drop out of the side as Shane Watson returns and spinner Xavier Doherty is handed a chance to impress.

AUSTRALIA: Finch, Warner, Smith, Clarke, Watson, Maxwell, Faulkner, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Doherty

SRI LANKA: Thirimanne, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Mathews, Chandimal, Tharanga, Perera, Prasanna, Senanayake, Malinga

TEAM NEWS: Three changes for Sri Lanka as Upul Tharanga, Seekkuge Prasanna and Sachithra Senanayake come into the side to replace Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne and Suranga Lakmal.

12.5 - Only Lasith Malinga (13.8%) has bowled a higher percentage of yorkers at #CWC15 than Mitchell Starc (12.5%), 50+ balls. Crusher. — OptaJason (@OptaJason) March 8, 2015

Scotland await both of these sides in the coming week, so without disrespecting Preston Mommsen's men, you would expect both Sri Lanka and Australia to finish their Pool A campaigns with victories. However, both teams will be keen to book their spot as soon as possible, and a win in this match would do a lot for momentum heading into the latter stages of the tournament.

Both sides are out on the field at the SCG, with just the national anthems standing in the way now. David Warner and Aaron Finch will attack immediately. There's no doubt about it, so Lasith Malinga's opening spell could set the tone in the innings.

UPDATE: There is another match taking place in Pool A today, and it looks like New Zealand are on the way to another victory. Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill are looking comfortable with the Black Caps on 85-1 after 13 overs as they chase down a target of 187.

Everyone is ready to go at the SCG. Spinners could be the key today, so we should be expecting that batsmen to attack at both ends of the innings. Malinga will bowl the first over of the match.

Malinga is inches away from taking a wicket with his second ball as Finch sends an edge past the diving Jayawardene at slip. To rub salt in the wounds, Mathews had taken second slip out after the first ball. It's an odd decision from the skipper. Warner makes it four from the over with a push through the covers for three.

Interesting move from Sri Lanka. It's the spinner Senanayake who will open the bowling from the other end. There's a short-leg in place for Warner, who sits back to push the second ball down the ground for a single. Half chance for Sangakkara! A sweeping Finch gets a glove on the ball, but Sangakkara can't react to the deflection to take what would have been a brilliant catch. Finch then picks up three with a clip off the pad.

Shot! Malinga offers enough width for Finch to free his arms and he cashes in by drilling the ball to the cover boundary. Good cricket from the opener as he keeps out the decent deliveries before sneaking a single off the final ball to keep the strike.

Some poor fielding on the off-side allows Finch to pick up a single. Warner, the more comfortable of the openers against the spin, skips down the pitch to loft Senanayake over the covers for four. A drop to the knee is followed by a sweep to deep square-leg for one. Finch 10 Warner 9*

Malinga delivers his first yorker of the day, and it's a good one to Warner, who does well to get bat on ball before his toes are punished.

WICKET! WARNER (9) C PRASANNA B MALINGA: Superb bowling from Malinga. He follows a quick yorker with a clever slower ball to completely bamboozle Warner. The left-hander can only deliver the easiest of catches to Prasanna at extra cover. Malinga executes the plan perfectly.

One of the best players in world cricket over the past year, Steve Smith, comes to the crease for Australia. Two slips in place for the new batsman. Smith shuffles across his crease to watch an attempted yorker drift down the leg-side for a wide. Mathews reacts to the movement by bringing in a leg-slip. Solid defence on show from Smith, and he gets off the mark in fine style with four through the covers at the end of the over.

Senanayake drifts down the leg-side to allow Finch to sweep behind square for four runs. Strange tactics from the Sri Lankans. The spinner goes too far the other way as Finch cuts for three. It's a very quick outfield at the SCG, so there is good value for shots. Smith turns the next ball into a full-toss with a skip down the pitch for a single.

Good cricket from Australia as they react to a fumble on the off-side to hurry a couple of runs. It's a tight over from Malinga, who now has 1-16 from his four overs. He might come out of the attack.

Senanayake's spell comes to an end as Mathews brings himself into the attack for the first time. Finch plants his foot forward to earn three with a push down the ground. There's some movement in the air and Mathews pleads with Aleem Dar to raise his finger. The umpire doesn't, but Sri Lanka review. It doesn't look right, and the third umpire decides that 'snicko' proved there was an inside edge, so we don't see hawkeye. Poor review from Mathews. I think the ball would have went over the top anyway.

Changes at both ends as Prasanna comes into the attack to bowl his spin for the first time. He follows the example of Senanayake by drifting down the leg-side and Finch takes advantage to sweep for four.

WICKET! FINCH (24) ST SANGAKKARA B PRASANNA: Big wicket for Sri Lanka. Finch comes down the track without an obvious aim, and he's left stranded as Sangakkara takes the ball down the leg-side before whipping off the bails. Brave bowling Prasanna so soon after being swept for four.

This is the big partnership for Australia. When Clarke and Smith get going, they're incredibly difficult to bowl at. Clarke is just happy to keep out the final two balls of the over.

Shot! Perfect from Smith. It's nothing more than a push, but the ball races past Mathews to bring the batsman four runs. Dilshan then does brilliantly to stop a cut at backward point. Smith unleashes another beauty of a shot to earn four more through extra cover off the final ball. It doesn't get much better than that. Sri Lanka edge the first powerplay.

Prasanna thinks he's trapped Clarke lbw, but Ian Gould disagrees and Sri Lanka can't review the decision. The technology would have sided with the umpire. Good over from Prasanna as Australia settle for three singles. Smith 16 Clarke 2*

Senanayake is back into the attack so it's spin from both ends. Neither Smith or Clarke will mind that too much. Both players are excellent players of the slower stuff. No risks taken by either man as they pick up four runs.

I'm not sure about these tactics from Sri Lanka. Clarke is being allowed to play himself in against the spin, and it's looked pretty easy since Finch's departure. A couple of overs from the seamers may have been the better option. Seven runs from a risk-free over.

Sri Lanka are breezing through their overs, but they aren't really threatening at the moment. Two more to the total for the hosts. It looks like Thisara Perera is going to get a bowl.

Perera is a touch to wide, which allows Clarke to cut through the covers for one. Smith uses a thick inside edge to pick up a run of his own on the leg-side. It's the type of pitch which could suit the medium pace of Perera, but Australia look comfortable. Smith is looking in great touch as he beats mid-on with a superb shot for four.

You can almost sense Clarke growing in confidence every time he connects with the bat. It's been a difficult build-up for the skipper, but a score today could be crucial for Australia ahead of the knockout stages. Runs are on offer all over the place as the hosts pick up four more.

It's not thrill-a-minute stuff from these two, but they're doing a good job of building this platform as they collect three runs from Perera's over. Mathews might consider handing Malinga an over as he looks to break this partnership.

Prasanna is back to replace Senanayake. Smith lunges forward to earn a run to long-on, before Clarke uses his feet well to find the gap through square-leg. Decent bowling from prasanna, but Smith and Clarke continue to look comfortable. Three off the over.

Clever bowling from Perera as he uses a wide slower ball to encourage a loose shot from Smith, who doesn't look very pleased with himself. Have Sri Lanka gone too defensive here? I'm not sure if Mathews is looking for a wicket, but rather waiting for a mistake. Three runs added to the total. Smith 34* Clarke 17

Great fielding from Perera at mid-on to keep Smith from picking up another boundary down the ground. Jayawardene comes in to stand next to Clarke at the non-striker's end, and Smith hits one straight at the fielder. It's a good over from Prasanna, but a wider one allows Smith to cut for a single off the final ball.

Shot! Another fairly uneventful over looks to be on the cards before Clarke scores his first boundary by launching the ball over mid-on for four runs. Top-class batting from the skipper. That's the 50 partnership.

Malinga has no intention of getting his kit dirty as he puts his foot on the ball to stop a boundary at deep cover. It's looking easy out there for Smith and Clarke. Sri Lanka really need a wicket. Smith 39 Clarke 22*

Tilakaratne Dilshan is on as Mathews continues to use his spinners. All of the talk was about how dry this pitch is, but we've not seen that much turn for the slower bowlers. Clarke tests his hamstring with a sprint for two after flicking the ball off the pads. A nudge to long-on hands the strike to Smith, who helps the ball to fine-leg for a single. Five scored in the over as Australia reach three figures.

Shot! Prasanna is a touch too short and Smith takes full advantage with a brilliant cut shot for four runs. I just wonder whether Sri Lanka are a seamer short today. The pitch isn't doing too much for the spinners and they're lacking a bit of variation in the middle of the innings. Australia ease to seven from the over.

Clarke comes down the pitch to nudge Dilshan away for one. Smith, who has decided it's time to take the helmet off, rotates the strike again. Malinga puts the dive in at deep square-leg to stop Clarke from finding the boundary. Smith chips one just wide of the bowler, but Dilshan can't get a finger on the ball at full stretch. 50! Smith earns four to fine-leg to reach his half-century from 72 balls. He'll fancy his chances of a big score from here.

RESULT! New Zealand have won again. They've completed a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan by reaching their target of 187 with 13.5 overs remaining. Another good day at the office for Brendon McCullum and his side.

Mathews decides it's time to bring himself back into the attack. A couple of singles are followed by a hint of movement outside off-stump, and that's enough to beat Clarke's bat. Tharanga makes a mistake at mid-off to gift two runs to Clarke and that has angered Mathews, who sends a glare in the fielder's direction. Seven off the over.

Sri Lanka will be starting to get concerned. Mathews may have been thinking about keeping Australia to around 250-260, but it looks like the co-hosts could easily post a much higher score with the batting they have to come. It wouldn't be a surprise to see these two up the tempo. Five off the over.

Shot! It looked like the physio was having a word with Clarke in a break between overs, but there doesn't seem to much wrong with the skipper as he produces the perfect cover drive to send the ball to the rope. Mathews delivers a sharp bouncer which is called a wide by the umpires. Australia manage to collect nine without doing too much out of the ordinary.

Senanayake drops one short, and Clarke is onto the length quickly as he launches four over the fielder at cover. A single to deep point brings up the century partnership. Australia must be thinking 300 from this position. It might be a good idea for these two to take the batting powerplay. 50 for Clarke thanks to a nudge into the leg-side. The skipper is finding some form, which is bad news for the rest of the teams in the tournament. Six! Stunning shot from Smith as he skips down the pitch to pick out the fans sitting behind the long-off boundary. Australia are on the charge.

Mathews does well at mid-off to stop a drive from Clarke at the start of a new spell from Perera. The skipper attacks a fuller ball to pick up a single with a thick edge down to third-man. Smith opens the face to steer a run to deep point, before Clarke capitalises on a shorter delivery to pull the ball behind square for four runs. Clarke is ready to attack. Another boundary follows with a loft over mid-off. Great batting on show at the SCG.

Sri Lanka's spinners haven't been that bad really, but they're struggling to make an impact so far. Clarke and Smith are looking so comfortable out in the middle. Australia collect 10 from Senanayake's over, with the highlight being Smith's perfect cut for four.

Malinga comes back for just his fifth over, but Sri Lanka probably needed to use him when Clarke had just got to the crease. He goes very full to Clarke, who is seeing it well enough to get bat on ball. Shot! Malinga is looking for the yorker, but he can't prevent Clarke from using all his power to earn four down the ground.

CLARKE (68) B MALINGA: The Malinga effect! Clarke's stumps take the punishment as Sri Lanka finally make a breakthrough. Malinga is a concerned man when a replay shows he was so close to overstepping, but there's just enough behind the line for it to be a legal delivery. Clarke departs for an excellent 68. Glenn Maxwell comes out ahead of Watson to keep out a fine yorker and pick up a single off the final ball of the 32nd over.

WICKET! SMITH (72) C PERERA B DILSHAN: It looks very different in Sydney now! The Sri Lankans are celebrating again when Smith attempts to launch Dilshan out of the ground but picks out Perera, who takes a superb catch running backwards at long-off. That's a big wicket.

Watson is the new man, and he is immediately handed the strike by Maxwell. Just two runs and a wicket from the Dilshan over. Sri Lanka need to keep attacking.

Maxwell doesn't need long to play himself in. A skip down the pitch is followed by four over extra cover. The reverse sweep comes out next, but he's forced to settle for a single on this occasion. Watson enjoys a slice of luck when a top edge sends the ball just over Sangakkara's head.

Maxwell frustrates the Sri Lankans by miscuing a big shot to safety on the off-side. There's more control over the next swing of the blade as he collects four more. Six! It just gets better. Another lofted off-drive sends the ball over the rope. A nudge off the pad makes it 21 from 13 balls for Maxwell. Watson steals the strike with a single off the final ball. It's time for the batting powerplay.

Malinga starts a new spell with a sharp bouncer, but Watson gets enough bat on ball to bring up 200 for Australia. The yorker is the plan to Maxwell, whose movement at the crease is not enough to allow him to attack. You've got to credit Malinga. A single is taken on the off-side before Watson flicks another run off the pads.

Six! Wow, Maxwell is playing some excellent cricket. A slog-sweep sends the ball over square-leg for six and Prasanna can't believe he's been hit there. The entertainment keeps on coming as Maxwell uses the reverse-sweep to beat the fielder inside the circle as he lofts four more to the rope. A loft over wide mid-on brings two, before a couple more makes it 17 from the over.

Watson is just easing himself into the innings as Maxwell steals the show. Two to square-leg is followed by a pull for a single. Mathews brings the fielders up on the off-side, and Maxwell finds the gap to guide a fuller ball through the covers for four. Watson joins the fun with four past mid-on later in the over, and he reaches the rope again with a confident pull. 16 off the Malinga over.

Perera starts his over with a full-toss, and he'll be happy to concede just two when Maxwell finds the fielder at deep mid-wicket. He won't get away with it twice. Maxwell goes to his 50 from 26 balls by launching the next full-toss over the rope on the leg-side. A single hands the strike to Watson, who adds another run with a clip off the pad. Maxwell gives himself room, but he can't connect with a clever slower ball from Perera.

Shot! Great batting from Watson as he splits the fielders on the leg-side to send a full one from Malinga to the rope. Maxwell is furious with himself when he fails to punish a full-toss and is forced to settle for a single. Eight runs scored. 10 overs left. Australia will be eyeing a score of 320+

Maxwell isn't worried about the man on the rope as he heaves Prasanna into the leg-side for four runs. A clever sweep behind square follows, and it's four more to Maxwell. A loft to long-off brings two more, and the barrage of attacking shot continues with another boundary on the leg-side. Watson finally gets the strike and he finds two with a thick inside edge. 17 off the over. Maxwell 69* Watson 26

Shot! How do you bowl to Maxwell in this form? He switches hands again to beat the fielder in the circle and collect four once again. A miscued effort encourages Perera to attempt the catch in the deep, but he can't make up the ground to get his hand on the ball. These two have put on 100 for the fifth wicket. Australia are on for a very big score. 10 off the over.

Six! Watson punishes the full-toss from Perera with a powerful stroke over the mid-wicket boundary. Maxwell doesn't find the middle when he attacks the slower ball, but the outfield is quick enough to hand him four runs down the ground. Six! Maxwell just keeps going. Perera is too short and he watches another ball disappear over square-leg. The pressure is on the bowler as he delivers a wide. Maxwell then sprints for two as Australia reach 300. This is a great effort from the co-hosts.

Mathews is back into the attack, but Australia are refusing to stop the charge. Watson finds the middle with a stunning shot over mid-wicket for six runs. Mathews drifts too wide and an extra is added to the total. A single is followed by four from Maxwell, who beats the fielders on the off-side to move within seven of his century. Drop! Sri Lanka get the chance to dismiss Maxwell as Sangakkara sprints back to chase down a miscued shot, but he can't hold on after getting two hands on the ball. I think the veteran wicketkeeper would feel he should have taken that catch after making up the ground. Maxwell 96* Watson 42

Malinga is back into the attack. Maxwell moves to 98 with two down the ground. A single is then picked up with a nudge off the thigh pad. Watson is more than happy to give the strike back to his teammate. Ian Gould is almost playing with the Australian fans as the umpire waits a few seconds before signalling a leg-bye to delay the celebrations again. Watson keeps the strike with a single off the final ball. Maxwell 99 Watson 44*

Lovely batting from Watson once again as he drops to one knee to sweep Prasanna for four, and his 50 arrives off the 30th ball thanks to another powerful shot to the straight boundary. CENTURY! Maxwell does it. A chip for two runs brings up his first ODI century from just 51 balls. What a knock! Everyone at the SCG salutes a quite brilliant innings. Another boundary from Watson finishes the over. It's a fantastic batting display from the Aussies. Maxwell 102* Watson 57

WICKET! MAXWELL (102) C MALINGA B PERERA: Finally something for the Sri Lankans to celebrate. Mathews can't find the middle for once as he miscues a big shot to Malinga, who takes the catch at mid-on to give Mathews a wicket. A superb innings comes to an end. There's a good chance it will be match-winning knock, too. 102 from 53 balls for Maxwell.

WICKET! FAULKNER (0) RUN OUT (MATHEWS): No late innings fireworks from Faulkner. He hits his first ball to the fielder and pays the price for attempting a risky single as Mathews throws to Perera, who whips the bails off with the all-rounder short of his ground.

Haddin is the new batsman, but he's at the non-striker's end as Watson clubs two down the ground. Shot! I'm not sure how Watson has played this shot. It's a wider one from Perera, but the batsman somehow manages to reach the ball on the stretch and loft four over the covers. He keeps the strike with a single.

You'd assume that Australia have got enough, but credit must go to Malinga, who bowls an excellent 48th over to concede just four runs. That's brilliant bowling at the death. He finishes with figures of 2-59 from 10 overs.

Six! Haddin has to be one of the better number eights around. He leans back to send Perera over extra cover for a maximum, and you can tell he enjoyed that one. Mathews should do better at extra cover as Hadding steps away to drill four more through the covers. Perera isn't sure what to do. Haddin launches the ball over mid-off for another four, and the luck is on Australia's side, too, as the ball races to the rope off the inside edge. Drop! Prasanna takes a brilliant catch in the deep, but the ball spills out when he hits the ground.

WICKET! WATSON (67) C CHANDIMAL B PERERA: Another fine knock comes to an end as Chandimal steadies himself before taking a decent catch at mid-off following a miscue from Watson. All of Australia's key men are finding form.

Good work from the new man Mitchell Johnson as he gets off strike with a single at the start of the final over. Mathews is too straight and full, and Haddin gets enough bat on ball to reach the square-leg boundary.

WICKET! HADDIN (25) C PERERA B MATHEWS: Haddin attempts to go over the off-side again, but Perera tracks back before turning to take the catch. It's a fine cameo from the Aussie veteran. Sri Lanka's fans are celebrating, but it's been tough for their side.

WICKET! STARC (0) RUN OUT (PERERA): It's all a bit frantic at the end of the innings as Perera runs out Starc, who didn't even get to face a ball before departing attempting to answer a risky call for two.

Johnson heaves the ball into the leg-side to give the strike to Doherty, who misses with a big swing, but Australia manage to sneak a bye off the final ball.

SRI LANKA NEED 377 TO WIN: What an effort from Australia. It's a great pitch at the SCG, and they've taken full advantage to set a huge total. Sri Lanka will have to produce something special to even get a sniff in the run-chase. Clarke, Smith, Haddin and Watson all played very well, but Maxwell was the star of the show with a brilliant century.

We'll take a break during the interval, but make sure you're back here in around 25 minutes as Australia look to turn an excellent start into a victory at the SCG.

Welcome back everyone. If you missed any of the action from the first innings, check out the stats below. Can Sri Lanka stay in this game? They'll need a couple of special performances.

Australia 376-9 (50 overs): Maxwell 102 (53), Smith 72, Clarke 68, Watson 67

Fall of wickets: 19-1 (Warner 9), 41-2 (Finch 24), 175-3 (Clarke 68), 177-4 (Smith 72), 337-5 (Maxwell 102), 338-6 (Faulkner 0), 368-7 (Watson 67), 373-8 (Haddin 25), 374-9 (Starc 0)

Bowling figures: Malinga 10-0-59-2, Senanayake 9-0-59-0, Mathews 7-0-59-1, Prasanna 10-0-77-1, Perera 9-0-87-2, Dilshan 5-0-33-1

If Australia can pick up a couple of early wickets, they'll fancy their chances of recording an emphatic win. It seems a crazy thing to suggest, but Sri Lanka don't have to risk too much immediately. They need someone to build a platform without allowing the run-rate to creep too high. Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene hold the key.

It's Dilshan and Thirimanne who open the batting. Starc will bowl the first over of the match. Sri Lanka need 377 runs to win the match. The winner books a spot in the last eight.

Two slips in place for Starc, who begins by forcing Thirimanne into a solid block. The left-hander gets off the mark with a push to mid-on for one. Starc pushes the ball across the right-handed Dilshan to beat the outside edge and encourage some noise from the slips. A straighter ball allows Dilshan to find a run on the leg-side. Good pace on show from Starc.

Dilshan tries to hit one a bit too hard, and misses completely at the start of Johnson's first over. A push down the ground brings three runs and hands the strike to Thirimanne.

WICKET! THIRIMANNE (1) C HADDIN B JOHNSON: Play that, Lahiru. Pace, bounce and a hint of movement is enough to catch glove and Haddin takes a simple catch. It's a superb delivery from Johnson and Sri Lanka are on the ropes already.

A legend of the game comes to the crease, and Sangakkara is happy to lean back and watch a sharp bouncer from Johnson. There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Great start for Johnson.

Dilshan is feeling the pressure from the scoreboard already as he plays another loose drive at a ball outside off-stump. Starc catches a thick edge, but the contact earns Dilshan a single. The seamer then delivers a beauty to beat Sangakkara, who can't help but flirt with the ball away from his body. Just a single off the over.

Johnson mixes up his pace and length well early in a new over before Dilshan prods a single to cover. Sri Lanka need to keep rotating the strike, or the run-rate will go up too quickly. Sangakkara earns two on the off-side before scoring four with an unconvincing pull shot. It's a boundary, and that is all that matters, but Johnson might return with some more short stuff.

(TARGET 377) A flick to deep square-leg earns Dilshan a couple, but his eagerness to attack every ball could come back to haunt him. Starc's pace is rushing the opener. A miscued pull shots sends the ball towards the fielder at fine-leg, but the ball drops short. Lovely timing from Sangakkara as he nudges two down the ground.

Shots! Johnson gets his length wrong twice, and Dilshan cashes in by playing two perfect drives for four. Much better from the opener. He keeps attacking too as a slog over mid-wicket brings four more. Shot! Stunning cricket from Dilshan as he unleashes the best one yet to pull four to the square-leg boundary. Wow. Johnson has a few words for Dilshan, but the right-hander is only concentrating on batting as he hits his fifth successive boundary with four through extra cover. Can he do it again? You bet! Dilshan makes it six fours in a row with another superb cover drive. What an over from the veteran opener. Brilliant entertainment in Sydney. Dilshan 33* Sangakkara 8

Clarke makes an early change as Watson comes into the attack to replace Starc. Sangakkara pushes the ball into a gap on the off-side to earn three. Shot! Dilshan is putting on a shown. He digs into the bag to bring out his trademark scoop shot for four, and that's seven boundaries in a row from him. That run finally comes to an end when he misses with a big swing. Dilshan goes for the scoop again, but he's struck on the glove and helmet. Brave batting. Sangakkara follows his teammate's example with four through point. Sri Lanka are determined to put some pressure on Australia. A single makes it 13 from the over.

Starc swaps ends, but the boundaries keep coming as Sangakkara hammers four past the fielder at point. The left-arm pace bowler is delivering a lot of his deliveries with a cross-seam in an attempt to bring a false shot. Sangakkara is struck when Starc pulls his length back, before Haddin does brilliantly to catch one which beats the inside edge.

Watson drifts onto the pads to allow Dilshan to flick a single to fine-leg. A misfield from Johnson at mid-off allows Sangakkara to pick up a run. It looks like Clarke wants Watson to go wicket-to-wicket in a bid to force these two into some risky shots. Sri Lanka settle for singles as Maxwell has some fun with the fans giving him stick in the deep. Six off the over.

(TARGET 377) Superb work from Watson at short cover to stop a firm drive from Dilshan. Starc delivers a slower bouncer, but he's left frustrated when Ian Gould signals a wide. An edge sends a yorker to third-man as Dilshan gets off strike midway through the over. Sangakkara shuffles across the crease to pick up a run to deep square-leg. Starc is operating at around 90mph as he looks for a hint of movement with a fuller length. Four off the final over of the powerplay.

Sri Lankan fans going WILD here @SCG remarkable scenes! #cwc15 #AUSvSL https://t.co/0lsscfCo1w — ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2015

Clarke turns to his spinner as Doherty comes into the attack for the first time. Sangakkara is the definition of calm as he lunges forward to nudge a single to long-on. Dilshan then finds a run on the off-side, before his partner skips down the pitch to drill two through extra cover. A hand from Clarke at short cover stopped the boundary there. Sangakkara picks up a couple more with a flick off the pad before adding one more behind square on the leg-side. Dilshan 43 Sangakkara 31*

Spin from both ends for Australia as Maxwell gets a chance with the ball. Sangakkara starts the over with a couple before nudging a single to square-leg. Sri Lanka seem happy to pick up the singles against the spinners at this stage. Five off the over.

Doherty finds a bit of turn, but Sangakkara gets bat on ball to earn a single. Dilshan puts his foot down to dive home for two after a cut past the fielder at point. Drop! Is the luck on Sri Lanka's side? Dilshan hits a slog straight up in the air, and Clarke runs back to get two hands on the ball but he can't hang on! It would have been a great catch. The skipper is furious with himself, though. Dilshan gets a life.

Sangakkara drops to one knee to sweep a couple, and that takes the great man to 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. What an achievement from one of the game's great players. He shows his class by skipping down the pitch to loft four runs over mid-wicket. Maxwell appeals, Sangakkara cuts, Doherty dives, and the result is four more past point. No one quite knows why Maxwell through that hit the pad. Sri Lanka making decent progress.

There's a bit of excitement when Haddin whips the bails off, but Sangakkara didn't move his foot and the replays prove it was an optimistic shout. Maxwell fumbles the ball in the deep to allow Sangakkara to come back for two runs. 50! Sangakkara reaches his half-century from 45 balls with a single on the off-side. That's his 94th half-century in ODI cricket. Incredible. Five off the Doherty over.

50! Contrasting styles, but both of these players are having an impact on the match as Dilshan follows Sangakkara to his half-century from 42 balls. A wild reverse shot arrives later in the over, but Dilshan must settle for a couple of byes after missing with a big swing.

There's a long way to go in this run-chase, but Clarke will be concerned about this partnership. If they bat for too long, the Sri Lankans sitting upstairs will keep growing in confidence. The guys in the middle are full of confidence as Sangakkara slog-sweeps for four over mid-wicket. Rotating the strike has been important, too. Sangakkara earns four more with a loft over mid-off. Sri Lanka are in this game.

Clarke makes a change after the drinks break as Faulkner comes into the attack for the first time. Dilshan picks out a fielder with a late cut before getting off strike thanks to a miscued pull shot. Smith does superbly at point to get a hand on a powerful stroke from Sangakkara, who then opens the face to earn a single. Sri Lanka finish with four from the over. Decent start for Faulkner.

Clever cricket from Sangakkara - who else? A chip over Maxwell's head earns him a couple down the ground. Sri Lanka continue to pick the gaps well as Clarke watches on from cover with different plans running through his head. Maxwell offers some width to allow Dilshan to cut through point for four. Sangakkara 67 Dilshan 60*

(TARGET 377) Faulkner is a very clever bowler with the white ball. Dilshan fails to pick the slower ball out the back of the hand, and we'll see plenty of variations from the all-rounder as this innings progresses. Just a couple of runs from an excellent over.

Johnson is back for a new spell after his last over went for 24 thanks to Dilshan's six successive fours. It's a much better one for the seamer, who manages to concede just two singles. Excellent bowling.

WICKET! DILSHAN (62) LBW B FAULKNER: Breakthrough for Australia! It's a brilliant slower ball from Faulkner as he completely fools Dilshan to hit the back leg. A review follows, but Dilshan has to depart. Australia needed that.

Mahela Jayawardene isn't a bad man to come in at number four with 446 ODIs under his belt, hey? The new batsman takes a risk by calling for a sharp single to mid-on, and only a wayward throw from Starc saves him. Sangakkara adds another to keep the strike. Great over from Faulkner.

Poor from Johnson as he drifts onto the pads to concede four leg-byes early in the over. Sangakkara adds another run, but Sri Lanka have to settle for five off the over. Australia are piling the pressure on. Sri Lanka still need 235 runs to win.

Shot! Jayawardene knows he can't afford to eat up too many deliveries, and he decides to loft his fourth ball into the leg-side for four runs. Faulkner continues to change his pace, but Jayawardene is equal to a fuller one as he flicks a single to deep square-leg. Sangakkara adds another behind square on the leg-side as the progress continues.

(TARGET 377) This is a much better spell from Johnson. Sangakkara wants to be positive, but he just can't find the gaps in a fine over. Just a single added to the total.

Maxwell is back into the attack. Sri Lanka may have to take a risk against the slower bowler. There's not much opportunity to free the arms as Maxwell keeps it tight, and the fielders in the deep do the cleaning up. Just four off the over. Sangakkara 76 Jayawardene 8*

Doherty drops his length back a bit, and Watson isn't quick enough to prevent Sangakkara from reaching the rope at mid-wicket. It's a good shot, but the pressure is on Sri Lanka to put their foot down now. Australia remain in control.

Only a bit of extra bounce stops Maxwell from launching a full lbw appeal when Jayawardene misses with the slog-sweep. The required run-rate is almost at 10 an over now. These two won't panic, but they'll have to start taking more risks. Sangakkara enjoys a slice of luck when a top edge sails over Haddin and sends the ball to safety.

Australia were 29 runs behind Sri Lanka's score at the start of the 29th over, but scoreboard pressure makes a huge difference in ODI cricket. Jayawardene slices a couple of runs over backward point at the start of a new spell from Watson before nudging a single to mid-off. Watson does very well to keep it tight. Five off the over.

Sri Lanka decide to take the batting powerplay, which is the right decision with these two at the crease. Sangakkara comes forward and slices the ball towards Maxwell at deep cover, but the Australian fielder can't make up the ground running in from the boundary. The batsman frustrates Faulkner again with a pull through square-leg, before reaching the fine-leg rope to move to 94*. Shot! It just gets better. Sangakkara guides four more over point to make it 17 from the over. Sangakkara 98 Jayawardene 18*

Starc is back into the attack, and he beats Sangakkara's edge before almost knocking him over with a superb yorker. Only an inside edge saves the batsman and moves him to 99 not out.

WICKET! JAYAWARDENE (19) RUN OUT (CLARKE): Big wicket for Australia. Jayawardene calls for a risky single to mid-off, and Clarke dishes out the punishment with a superb piece of fielding to send him packing.

100! What a knock. Sangakkara just keeps producing magic. It's a third century in a row, and he's keeping Sri Lanka in this match. Australia know they must remove the great man to get over the line. He's been joined in the middle by Mathews. They combine to collect seven from Faulkner's over.

Mathews is happy to rotate the strike while he plays himself in. There was a bit of concern during the drinks break as the physio came out to massage the skipper's hamstring, and he's definitely struggling. Sangakkara lofts a couple of runs over the fielder at point before using a fumble at cover to pick up a single. Mathews digs out a Starc yorker to get the run which takes Sri Lanka to 200.

Sri Lanka have struggled to recover from Jayawardene's dismissal and the run-rate has crept over 10 runs an over. Faulkner thrives bowling in the batting powerplay. Mathews gets a single off the third ball.

WICKET! SANGAKKARA (104) C FINCH B FAULKNER: That's the wicket they wanted! Sangakkara slices the ball to Finch, who runs in from deep cover to take the catch. Faulkner breathes a huge sigh of relief when a replay shows he got something behind the line. Excellent bowling from the all-rounder. Chandimal is the new partner for Mathews, who finishes the over with a single.

(TARGET 377) Sri Lanka are in a deep hole. There's not much hope, but Mathews is capable of producing something special. It's going to take something incredible from here. Doherty returns to the attack to concede six off the over as Chandimal gets off the mark with a slog-sweep for four.

It's time for some risks. Chandimal attacks the returning Watson to beat extra cover with a lofted shot and earn four runs. Six! Sri Lanka need more of this. Chandimal launches the ball over the mid-wicket boundary to the delight of his fans in that region of the ground. Another boundary follows when Chandimal flicks the ball off his pad to find the gap at deep square-leg.

Six! Finch is interested when Mathews gets a top edge on a slog-sweep, but the Sri Lankan skipper has the power to clear the rope. Doherty watches another ball reach the boundary when Mathews rocks back to hammer four through mid-wicket. A single down hands the strike to Chandimal, who takes one step forward to hit the spinner for four more to the straight boundary. Shot! It's 19 from the over when Chandimal clears mid-on with a good old fashioned slog. Sri Lanka continue to fight!

Clarke doesn't want Sri Lanka to continue gaining momentum, so he turns back to Faulkner. The all-rounder drifts a wide down the leg-side early in the over. Close! Mathews calls for a risky single and he gives up on the run to watch Clarke just miss the stumps from mid-off. Oh dear. Chandimal should be gone a few moments later. The throw to Faulkner is poor, and he can't collect the ball cleanly at the non-striker's end. Ian Gould calls for a review, but the fumble allowed Chandimal to get back. Six off the over.

Mathews beats the fielder at point to cut the returning Johnson for four at the start of a new over. A shuffle across the crease is followed by a single to mid-wicket. Chandimal breathes a sigh of relief when the ball lands safely on the leg-side after a miscued slog. Haddin and Johnson are furious when Aleem Dar signals a wide. It's an awful decision from the umpire. Johnson responds well by delivering two dot balls, but Chandimal manages to finish the over with a cut for four.

(TARGET 377) Chandimal is frustrating to watch if you're an Australian. It's fun for the rest of us as he slices four over short third-man to collect four early in Watson's over. Watson does pretty well to recover, but a wider fuller ball allows Chandimal to earn four more through the covers. Mathews 30 Chandimal 46* (20)

Sri Lanka collect three from the first three balls of Johnson's over. There's concern for Chandimal, who needs a bit of treatment. It looks like he may have tweaked something. Luckily for Sri Lanka, he decides he can continue after a couple of minutes. Close! Chandimal miscues his first shot back at the crease as Clarke fails to make the ground running back towards the square-leg boundary. The two runs really hurt Chandimal, who is going to stand and swing from now on after reaching his 50. It's been a great knock. A pull behind square is followed by a limp to the non-striker's end. Starc does the chasing to stop Mathews from collecting four through mid-wicket.

Mathews was calling for the struggling Chandimal to be replaced between overs, but the latter has won the argument and will stay out in the middle. Watson's full-toss is flicked away for a single, and Chandimal finally decides he can't stay out there. What a shame. He walks off the pitch on 52 not out from 24 balls, and Perera comes out to join Mathews. A nudge into the leg-side brings two, and that's the sort of decision Mathews couldn't have made with Chandimal at the crease.

WICKET! MATHEWS (35) C HADDIN B WATSON: Big wicket for the Australians. Watson surprises Mathews with the bouncer, and Haddin takes a simple catch off the top edge to remove the skipper. Mathews probably needed to be there until the end.

Upul Tharanga joins Perera to make it two new men in the middle. A single to cover brings Perera on strike, and the left-hander backs away to club Watson over mid-off for four runs. Shot! Perera has got some power. He delivers another boundary the ground. Superb batting.

WICKET! PERERA (8) C DOHERTY B JOHNSON: Perera simply had no choice, but he doesn't get the luck as a miscued slog ends in the safe hands of Doherty.

Tharanga takes a single to hand the strike to Prasanna, who starts his innings by playing and missing outside off-stump. Johnson's bounce drifts down the leg-side and the umpire signals a wide once again. Another one nips past the outside edge as Prasanna swings wildly again. Just four off the over. Sri Lanka need 81 runs off 42 balls.

Brilliant from Doherty at fine-leg as he stops Prasanna from reaching the rope with a top edge. Sri Lanka's fans aren't as loud as they were 30 minutes ago, but they're up on their feet to applaud their side reaching 300. Prasanna enjoys a slice of luck when a thick edge sends the ball racing to the rope. Eight off the over.

WICKET! PRASANNA (9) B STARC: The returning Starc is too quick for Prasanna, who can only watch his stumps take the punishment after he backs away to open up the off-side.

Sri Lanka only manage to add another single from the over as Senanayake comes out to join Tharanga.

WICKET! THARANGA (4) C WARNER B FAULKNER: The end is near. Tharanga can only slog Faulkner straight to Warner, who takes an easy catch at deep mid-wicket.

Senanayake finds a single to hand the strike to Malinga, who clubs the first ball against his own leg. He's not the most aesthetically pleasing of players. Let's put it that way.

Senanayake decides it's time for one final rally as a thick edge sends the ball racing away to the rope.

WICKET! SENAYAKE C FINCH B STARC: It's all over. Chandimal isn't going to return so Senanayake's chip to Finch at mid-off is the final action in Sydney. Australia win by 64 runs!

Well, you've got to give credit to Sri Lanka for keeping this match alive for so long, but Australia's brilliant performance with the bat was enough to earn them their place in the last eight. You'd expect Sri Lanka to join them later this week. Man of the match today? Glenn Maxwell, of course. His century was a joy to watch.

That's all from our live coverage, but make sure you follow our live coverage of England vs. Bangladesh from 3am (UK Time). Thanks for joining me. Goodbye!