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Australia and Sri Lanka have met twice in World Cup finals, with one providing a fairytale and the other descending into the most farcical finish in history.

BEST OF AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA AT WORLD CUP

SRI LANKA GET FAIRYTALE FINISH, 1996 FINAL

Just 14 years after gaining Test status, Sri Lanka changed the game en route to their maiden World Cup success in 1996. After hitting 7-241 from their 50 overs, Australia looked in the game when they removed revolutionary openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana before the score reached 25. But that was where it ended for the Aussies, with Asanka Gurusinha (65), Aravinda de Silva (107no) and Arjuna Ranatunga (47) taking Sri Lanka to glory. It remains their only World Cup victory over Australia.

GILCHRIST WALKS, 2003 SEMI-FINAL

Australia dominated the 2003 Cup but they found themselves in early trouble in the semi-final when Adam Gilchrist's wicket sparked a collapse of 3-17. Gilchrist edged one behind from Chaminda Vaas, and shocked the cricket world when he walked from the field despite not being given out. Andrew Symonds (91no) saved the day to help Australia to what was still a very gettable 7-212, before Brett Lee (3-35) and the rain stopped Sri Lanka at 7-123.

GILCHRIST AND THE SQUASH BALL, 2007 FINAL

Adam Gilchrist was again the centre of controversy four years later in the final when he took the game away from Sri Lanka with 149 from just 104 balls. It was later revealed he wore a squash ball in his glove the entire innings to assist his grip, prompting complaints from critics. That wasn't the end of the drama after Australia hit 4-281 from their 38 overs in the rain-affected match. Darkness descended on the ground late in Sri Lanka's doomed chase, but the Aussies were incorrectly told they had to finish their overs with spinners or else return the next day and start the game again.

GLENN MAXWELL'S BREAKTHROUGH, 2015 GROUPS

Glenn Maxwell hit the fastest ever one-day century for Australia as they and Sri Lanka combined for the highest-scoring World Cup game in history (688 runs). Maxwell's 51-ball hundred included 74 runs in boundaries as Australia whacked 200 runs in their last 18 overs to reach 9-376. Kumar Sangakkara then responded with his third straight ton for Sri Lanka to give them hope at 3-201, but when he was dismissed his team's hopes went with him as the Aussies continued on their winning ways.