ADELAIDE: Skipper Michael Clarke and opening batsman David Warner scored centuries as Australia hit 271 for six off 50 overs in the second tri one-day series final against Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
Clarke, once again inconvenienced by back trouble, hit 117 off 91 balls and Warner reeled off his second consecutive century with 100 off a more sedate 140 balls to set Sri Lanka a testing target to level the series.
Sri Lanka must win the match to take the tri-series finals into a third and deciding match in Adelaide on Thursday.
Sri Lanka didn't help their chances with five dropped catches and a sloppy out-fielding as Clarke and Warner shared in a 184-run stand for the third wicket after Matthew Wade (14) and Shane Watson (15) fell cheaply.
Clarke, frequently flexing his troublesome back, smashed four sixes and five fours in his blazing century, while Warner, passed fit before the match from a groin strain, backed up his 163 in Brisbane with another ODI ton.
Warner played more conservative with four fours and a six to raise his 100.
Clarke, clearly troubled by the back injury which forced him to miss two preliminary games, received three let-offs from the Sri Lankan fielders.
The most notable was on 77 when Lasith Malinga spilt a chance on the deep square leg boundary with the ball flicking out of his fingers over the ropes for six.
Clarke thrived from his let-off to smash Farveez Maharoof for 23 runs off the 44th over clubbing six, four, six and four from successive deliveries.
The run flurry enabled Clarke to beat Warner to a century and the Australian captain hobbled from the field when run out by Rangana Herath after being unable to push his running between wickets in the latter stages of his knock.
Malinga, who also finished the innings in discomfort, finished with three for 40 off 10 overs.
