Intro:

Australia opener David Warner smashed a brilliant 163 and the hosts then survived a strong Sri Lankan fightback to win the first Commonwealth Bank Series final by 15 runs in Brisbane on Sunday (March 4).

Australia bowled their opponents out for 306 in the 50th and final over after Warner's 157-ball knock - the highest ever one-day international total at the Gabba - had helped them to an imposing 321 for six.

Script:

David Warner had a reputation as a big hitter with a rapid strike rate, but had underachieved in his first 18 ODIs, averaging 22.5 with a highest score of 74.

That average looks healthier after that mammoth 163.

Warner hit 13 boundaries and two sixes before he was bowled by Prasad in the last ball of the Australian innings.

He was impressive right through the innings, sharing an opening stand of 136 with Matthew Wade, 50 for the second wicket with Shane Watson and 64 for the sixth-wicket with his captain, Michael Clarke.

Sri Lanka seemed out of the contest at 144-6 in the 31st over chasing 322 to win.

But Nuwan Kulasekara inspired an unlikely fightback with a career-high 73 from 44 balls and combined with Upul Tharanga in a 104-run partnership from 70 balls.

David Hussey broke the partnership in the 42nd over but the lower order defiance continued, with Dhammika Prasad scoring an unbeaten 31 to keep the match alive until number 11 Lasith Malinga was out and Sri Lanka were dismissed for 306 in 49.2 overs.

Shane Watson took the last three wickets to finish with 3-33, ending Australia's three-match losing streak against Sri Lanka.