Australia won the World Cup for a record third consecutive time, beating Sri Lanka by 53 runs in a rain-shortened final that ended in a farce on Saturday.

In reply, Sri Lanka could only muster 215 for 8 in fading light, after being set a revised target of 269 in 36 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, as rain, which forced a delayed start, halted play for 12 minutes during their run chase.

Sri Lanka turned in a fine all-round performance to beat New Zealand by 81 runs and storm into the final of the World Cup on Tuesday.

Powered by a brilliant century from their captain Mahela Jayawardene in the first semi-final at Sabina Park, Jamaica, the 1996 champions posted 289 for 5 and then bowled out the Kiwis for 208 in the 42nd over to condemn them to their fifth World Cup semi-final defeat.

In Saturday’s final in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sri Lanka will face either Australia or South Africa, who meet in Wednesday’s second semi-final.

Muthiah Muralitharan was Sri Lanka’s wrecker-in-chief, claiming four wickets for 31 runs which broke the back of the New Zealand batting.

Australia cruised into their fourth successive World Cup final, beating South Africa by seven wickets in the second semi-final, in St Lucia, on Wednesday.

The defending champions dismissed South Africa for 149 in 43.5 overs — their lowest World Cup total — and then rattled off the required runs in the 32nd over.

Chasing an unprecedented third straight World Cup triumph, they will take on Sri Lanka in the final on Saturday in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Glenn McGrath, with four wickets for 39 and three for 18 respectively, destroyed the Proteas, for whom Justin Kemp top-scored with an unbeaten 49 from 91 balls.