Australia book place in finals

The Sri Lankans, who must now win their final two games of the competition to stand any chance of joining the Australians in the best-of-three finals series, had looked on course to claim a rare victory against the hosts when they restricted them to 184 for seven.

Half centuries from middle-order batsmen Michael Hussey (64 not out) and Michael Clarke (50) helped Australia to build a competitive target in difficult batting conditions after their top order had faltered.

However, in reply the tourists struggled to keep up with the modest run rate on the slow MCG pitch, and despite hope the players might re-appear after they were forced from the field in the 30th over with Sri Lanka on 77 for four, the rain persisted before play was called off.

Sri Lanka had lost eight of their previous nine one-day internationals against Australia, including last year's World Cup final, and their hopes of chasing down the modest target were immediately undermined by paceman Stuart Clark who struck twice to leave them at three for two.

Kumar Sangakkara and captain Mahela Jayawardene set about reconstructing the Sri Lankan innings in painstaking fashion as they reached the 15-over mark with just 33 runs on the board.

However, they both fell before long and with the forecast rain starting to appear and the Sri Lankans falling behind in the Duckworth-Lewis calculations, it was inevitable the hosts had done enough.

Earlier, Hussey's 12th one-day international half-century, which also saw him reach 2000 limited overs runs, coupled with a composed knock from captain-in-waiting Clarke helped the Australians recover from 54 for four in the 22nd over.