Thisara Perera's fiery 11-ball 21 helped Sri Lanka overhaul Australia by three wickets, with four balls remaining, in the ninth match of the One-Day International Tri-series, at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, on Friday.

- Scorecard

- Match report

Chasing 281 for victory, Sri Lanka completed the run chase successfully on the back of half centuries from Mahela Jayawardene (85) and Dinesh Chandimal (80).

Earlier, electing to bat, young Peter Forrest smashed his maiden One-Day International hundred and skipper Michael Clarke hit a crafty 72 to guide Australia to a formidable 280 for 6.

Forrest took dropped Ricky Ponting's place in the Australian batting line-up at number three and he didn't disappoint

In his previous three tri-series matches, Forrest had batted at number four and hit two half-centuries.

Forrest got to his century in the 40th over when he took a single of Thisara Perera.

The 26-year-old New South Welshman blasted two sixes and 10 boundaries in his 138-ball knock before his post-century celebrations ended quickly at the hands of Angelo Mathews.

Matthews had removed a well-set Clarke in his previous over and two quick strikes brought Sri Lanka back in the match.

Mike and David Hussey combined for a quickfire 42-run stand, but paceman Lasith Malinga took the wind from Australia's sails when he bowled the former for 21 with a sizzling yorker.

All-rounder Dan Christian was stumped for six after charging down the wicket to meet spinner Rangana Herath, and Australia managed only 30 runs from their last five overs.

Chasing the stiff total, Sri Lanka's captain took the challenge head on.

Sparked by a belligerent Jayawardene, Sri Lanka marched to 51 in eight overs before Tillakaratne Dilshan was out for three, pulling a Ben Hilfenhaus delivery straight to Forrest at deep square leg.

Jayawardene added another 49 with Dinesh Chandimal before being stumped, deceived by a venomous, turning ball from spinner Xavier Doherty.

Mathews was out for 24, slogging a rash shot straight to Dave Warner in the deep, giving the hosts their seventh wicket and briefly raising hope of stopping the Sri Lankan charge.