Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by 87 runs in the 20th match of the ICC World Cup 2019 at The Oval in London on Saturday.
Chasing the 335-run target, Sri Lanka could score only 247 runs in 45.5 overs.
This was the fourth win in five matches for Australia as they have moved to the top of the points table.
Earlier, Finch made 153 off 132 balls with 15 fours and five sixes, and added 173 runs for the third wicket partnership with Steven Smith, who scored 73 off 59 balls.
After Finch hit the highest score in a World Cup by an Australian captain to help his team to 7-334, Sri Lanka flew out of the blocks to be 0-88 after 10 overs in reply.
But attempting what would have been a World Cup record run-chase, Sri Lanka had the brakes applied to their innings through the middle before they were all out for 247.
Starc made the biggest dent with 4-55, clean bowling Kusal Perera (52 off 36) to claim Australia’s first wicket with the score at 115 in the 16th over.
Kane Richardson (3-47) got the key wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne when he had him caught cutting at gully for 97, after the opener had got the Sri Lankans off to a flyer.
Pat Cummins (2-38) and Jason Behrendorff (1-59) also claimed wickets in the middle overs as Australia regained control of the match.
Starc then returned with the killer blow of three wickets across the 37th and 39th overs to end any real hopes of an upset before Richardson cleaned up the tail.
Starc bowled Milinda Siriwardana (3) with his customary full-pitched bowling, had Thisara Perera (7) caught and then got Sri Lanka’s last hope Kusal Mendis caught behind for 30.
Both teams have so far played four matches each as Australia are placed third with six points and a net run rate of 0.57 and Sri Lanka are on the fifth with four points and a NRR of -1.517 at the points table
The Aussies have won three matches and lost one, obtaining six points while the Lankans have won one match and lost one, and they were unfortunate to lose two points in two matches, which were abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.
-Agencies
