Colombo, Sri Lanka – Lasith Malinga bagged his third one-day international hat trick as a spirited Sri Lankan attack dismissed Australia to a modest 211 in the fifth and final one-day international on Monday.
Malinga captured the wickets of tailenders Mitchell Johnson (1), John Hastings (0) and Xavier Doherty in successive deliveries in the 46th over to finish with best bowling figures 3-35.
Shane Watson top scored for the visitors with 56.
Sri Lanka's captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and opted to bowl first and his opening bowler Shaminda Eranga reaped success in the second over bowling out Shaun Marsh (2) with the total on four .
Watson and former captain Ricky Ponting combined for the best partnership of the innings, 67 runs off 73 balls, for the second wicket building a platform for a competitive total.
Substitute fielder Suraj Randiv took a brilliant catch diving forward at short mid-wicket to dismiss Ponting for 31.
Watson again joined his captain Michael Clarke in a promising 56-run stand for the fourth wicket. Watson mistimed a slog-sweep against spinner Ajantha Mendis for a catch to Upul Tharanga in the deep. He hit a six and six boundaries for his 56 runs off 84 balls.
Eranga forced an edge off Clarke to wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara for 47. Clarke faced 67 balls and hit three boundaries in a measured innings.
Michael Hussey failed to impress, scoring just six runs before edging leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna to Sangakkara to leave Australia 167-5.
David Hussey hit a six and five boundaries for a quick 46 runs off 49 balls but his dismissal in the 44th over started Australia's slide with their last five wickets being lost for just a run. Mendis had impressive figures 3-49.
Australia has already won the five-match series 3-1 but a win will give both sides momentum going into a three-match Test series.
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