Dan Christian claims first Oz ODI hat-trick in nine years as Lanka make 238

Melbourne, Mar. 2 (ANI): Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian became the first bowler from his country to take an ODI hat-trick since Brett Lee, nearly a decade ago, as Sri Lanka struggled to make 238 in the 12th Commonwealth Bank Series one-day fixture at the MCG on Friday.

Christian added two more wickets to his haul, returning figures of five for 31. He was ably assisted by James Pattinson who claimed four wickets for 51.

At the time of the filing of this report, Australia had scored 116 for the loss of four wickets in 27 overs. They need a further 122 runs to knock the Sri Lankans out of the tournament. Stand-in skipper Shane Watson is still at the crease with 58 (five fours).

Sri Lanka must win the match to progress to the finals ahead of India.

The Lankan total was made possible through half-centuries from Kumar Sangakkara (64) and Dinesh Chandimal (75) and a useful 51 from the bat of Lahiru Thirimanne.

Sangakkara and Chandimal put on 123 for the third wicket. The other batters fell for single-figure scores.

Sri Lanka were dismissed from the last ball of the 50th over.

Christian became the fourth Australia player to take on ODI hat-trick after Bruce Reid, Anthony Stuart and Brett Lee. (ANI)