Dilshan ton crushes rusty Australia

Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan's maiden Twenty20 international century led Sri Lanka to a 35-run victory against Australia in Pallekele.

Dilshan thumped an unbeaten 104 from 57 balls as the hosts posted an impressive 198 for three after being asked to bat by Australia skipper Cameron White.

The chase proved too much for the visitors, who mustered 163 for eight, to concede the first of the two-game series.

Dilshan paved the way for victory by batting through the home innings and leading a stunning late onslaught that saw him add an unbroken 104 runs with Jeevan Mendis (29) in the final 45 balls.

The right-hander had worked his way to his half-century midway through the 16th over but then unleashed a barrage of heavy strokes to reach triple figures, with a trademark scoop for four, in the final over.

Dilshan had already hit Mitchell Johnson for back-to-back sixes in the final over as he used just 16 balls to race through his second 50.

The Sri Lanka skipper's fireworks proved too much for Australia who, apart from opener David Warner's 53 from 31 balls, never threatened to chase the target down.

Dilruwan Perera, one of three Sri Lankan debutants, was the chief destroyer taking three for 26.

The 29-year-old off-spinner exposed Australia's fragility to slow bowling on the sub-continent as he ripped out top-order trio Shaun Marsh (four), Mike Hussey (six) and White (seven).

That left Australia 63 for four and when Warner was caught by Dilshan off Nuwan Kulasekera Sri Lanka's win was assured.

There was little sign of Dilshan's late fireworks when Sri Lanka made a steady start after losing Mahela Jayawardene (11) when he was bowled by Brett Lee in the third over.

Dinesh Chandimal then trod on his own wicket playing back to a Johnson short ball and while Kumar Sangakkara added 30 in 22 balls before falling to Shane Watson, the hosts needed to up their rate at 94 for three in the 13th over.

Dilshan did so emphatically as he blasted 12 boundaries and five sixes as he contributed 77 of his match-winning century stand with Mendis.

The second and final game is at the same venue on Monday.