Australia 321 for 6 (David Warner 163, Matthew Wade 64) beat Sri Lanka 306 all out (Nuwan Kulasekara 73, Upul Tharanga 60) by 15 runs.

Venue: Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, March 4, 2012.

David Warner hammered 163 runs as Australia clinched the thrilling first final of the Commonwealth Bank Series 2011-12 against Sri Lanka by 15 runs.

The Kangaroos smashed 321 runs for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs and the Islanders were bowled out for 306 runs on the second ball of the last over.

Warner was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his majestic knock of 163 runs scored off 157 balls while opening the innings.

Earlier, Michael Clarke won the toss and opted to bat with an illusion to put a healthy score on board. The innings was launched in an affirmative manner by their regular openers David Warner and Matthew Wade while a clear message was sent to the opposition.

A short drizzle disrupted the play which was carried on later and the home side scored 68 runs after the end of first 10 power play overs. The momentum was carried on as Wade completed his fifty in the 18^th over and the century of the innings was also achieved in the same over.

Warner got his fifty in the 22^nd over and dispatched 14 runs in the 23^rd over from Dhammika Prasad which included one six and 2 fours. The visitors got the first breakthrough when Wade was caught smartly by Rangana Herath off Nuwan Kulasekara for 64 runs.

The first wicket provided a solid stand of 136 runs and Warner continued the onslaught with the incoming batsmen. The second wicket contributed 50 runs as the opener celebrated his maiden One Day International ton in the 35^th over. His onslaught continued while a nominal contribution was made from the other batsmen.

David Warner was the sixth batsman who went back to the pavilion for 163 runs off 157 balls with two sixes and 13 fours. The Aussies scored a challenging total of 321 runs with four wickets still in hand at the end of the 50^th over.

Prasad was the top wicket taker with two wickets, Lasith Malinga, Kulasekara. Farveez Maharoof and Herath shared one wicket each.

Brett Lee sent back both Lankan openers for 52 runs as Kumar Sangakkara exhibited some resistance while holding one end. He associated 41runs partnership for the third wicket but became the fourth victim after scoring 42.

The Lankan Lions were reeling at 144 for six wickets in 30.1 and looked like surrendering when Tharanga and Kulasekara held the rival attack like a rock. The duo was cautious initially but preferred to attack once they settled down and the ball started coming nicely on their willows.

They collected 10 runs in the 36^th over with two fours and 16 in the next which included three boundaries. Kulasekara got a life when he was dropped by Shane Watson for 23 in the 38^th over which produced 17 runs.

Nuwan Kulasekara utilised the opportunity and dispatched his second ODI fifty off just 33 balls on the third ball of the 40^th over. He was again dropped on 58 by Wade on the bowling of Daniel Christian, sent the ball twice flying over the boundary in the next over but lost his wicket in the same over for 73 off 43 balls with three huge sixes and 7 fours.

The seventh wicket contributed 104 runs and the wicket was gone at 248 when Dhammika Prasad joined in and the offence was carried on. Tharanga was caught by David Husey at long on off Shane Watson for 60 runs in 45.5 overs and the target was 37 runs away. The match became sensational and could have gone any way when Lasith Malinga was gone on the second ball of the 50^th over.

Prasad remained unbeaten for 31 off 21 balls with one six and 2 fours as the whole side was bowled out on 306 runs.

David Hussey was the star performer with four wickets, Lee and Watson registered three wickets each.

Australia was at the victory stands in the first final by 15 runs and leads the best of three matches 1-0.