Opener Matthew Wade top scored but Australia’s middle order crashed as Sri Lanka was set 232 runs to win Thursday’s third and deciding tri-series final in Adelaide.

The Australians were bowled out for 231 in 49.3 overs with Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath and Farveez Maharoof each taking three wickets.

Openers Wade (49) and David Warner (48) laid a solid platform that was eroded by a mid-order slump of 5-36.

Warner and Wade put on a 75-run opening stand, but only tailend contributions by Brett Lee (32 from 54 balls) and Clint McKay (28 from 32) rescued Australia.

The home side were 1-115 in the 21st over but lost five wickets in the next 12 overs.

Warner, who made 163 and 100 in the initial two finals, was particularly aggressive and struck five fours and a six in his 45-ball knock.

But he was the initial victim of paceman Maharoof, who finished with 3-40 from 10 overs.

Shane Watson, leading Australia in the absence of injured captain Michael Clarke, made 19 from 18 balls but was the first out in the unheralded collapse – within another 12 overs, he was joined in the dressing room by Mike Hussey (one), Wade, Peter Forrest (three) and David Hussey (19).

From relative comfort, Australia wobbled to 6-151 after 32 overs.

Left-arm tweaker Herath (3-36 from 10 overs) was instrumental, capturing the wickets of Wade and Forrest to, at one stage, have the figures of 2-3 from three overs.

Allrounder Dan Christian (19) soon became Maharoof’s third victim before McKay joined Lee for a valuable 40-run partnership for the seventh wicket.