Sri Lanka scored a shock 22-run victory over World Champions Australia in the first match of the one-day VB Series finals.
In Adelaide, the tourists posted 274 for eight with Marvan Atapattu, the Sri Lanka captain, scoring 53 runs and Kumar Sangakkara named man-of-the-match after hitting 83.
But much of the credit for Sri Lanka’s victory must go to Tillakaratne Dilshan, who played a crucial role with the bat and in the field.
Dilshan (26) and Chamara Kapugedera (38) helped to stretch Sri Lanka’s total and exert some pressure on the Australians.
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He then ripped through the Australian innings with four run-outs and one catch as the hosts stumbled to 252 all out.
Atapattu said: “We were clearly underdogs before the series and people thought it was a two-horse race (between Australia and South Africa), but here we are.
“We believe in ourselves and back ourselves and we played almost as well as we can today.”
Sri Lanka took 88 runs off the final 10 overs, making the most of the absence of Glenn McGrath, Australia’s fast bowler.
McGrath is missing as his wife Jane battles breast cancer and Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, acknowledged his absence weakened the team.
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Ponting said: “We had a few communication mix ups and it cost us.”
The second match of the finals will be played on Sunday in Sydney with game three, if needed, scheduled for Brisbane on Tuesday.