Sri Lanka were outplayed by Australia's reserve side in their sole warm-up game before their VB Series opener against England.

Jimmy Maher scored 106 for the home team and he was well supported by Michael Clarke, who enhanced his growing reputation with an innings of 79.

Pace bowler Dilhara Fernando claimed four for 57 and struck Justin langer on the head with a bouncer, although the home skipper escaped serious injury.

Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching their target evaporated when they lost both openers cheaply, but Russel Arnold enjoyed himself against Australia A's support bowlers to make an unbeaten 86 from 83 balls.

Langers was left feeling groggy

Sri Lanka went into the game looking for a confidence boost following an unsuccessful tour to South Africa.

But new ball bowlers Nuwan Zoysa and Sujeewa de Silva posed little threat to Langer and Maher, who launched the home side's innings with a stand of 97 in 15 overs.

Fernando proved far more of a handful and there was a worrying moment for Australia's Test selectors when a sharply rising delivery felled Langer, who was also hit on the head twice last year.

He was able to carry on after treatment, but was run out in the next over following a mix-up with Maher.

Sri Lanka's task was made even harder when they were docked two overs for a slow over rate and their top order looked all at sea as they were reduced to 70 for five.

Paceman Brad Williams accounted for Sanath Jaysuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana and Kumar Sangakkara was run out after making 22 off 25 balls.

Marva Atapattu was bowled by Greg Blewett for 15 and Mahela Jayawardene went for seven in the next over, when he was caught off the accurate Ashley Noffke, who had figures of 7-2-19-1.

Jehan Mubarak helped add 99 in 22 overs before he was run out by Langer for 36, but Arnold was the pick of the Sri Lankan batsmen as he collected 11 fours.

Australia A: J Langer (capt), J Maher, A Symonds, M Clarke, G Blewett, M Hussey, R Campbell, A Noffke, N Hauritz, N Bracken,
B Williams.

Sri Lanka: S Jaysuriya (capt), R Kaluwitharana, M Atapattu, K Sangakkara, M Jayawardene, R Arnold, J Mubarak, T Samaraweera, N Zoysa, D Fernando,
S de Silva.