Adam Gilchrist was cruelly run out for 99, Ricky Ponting struck a masterful century and Brett Lee forced Sanath Jayasuriya to retire hurt as Australia's cricketers secured a World Cup semifinal berth by beating Sri Lanka by 96 runs in the Super Sixes.

Australia made 5-319 from 50 overs then restricted Sri Lanka to 223.

Lee struck Jayasuriya twice in his first over with pair of swift deliveries, sending the Sri Lankan captain to hospital for x-rays.

He was diagnosed with a chipped left thumb from the first blow and a badly bruised left forearm from the 150.8km/h second.

He didn't bat again.

Lee took 3-52 from ten overs in a performance tainted only slightly by some fearful late blows from Aravinda de Silva (92 from 94 balls).

Australia cannot miss the semifinals now.

Gilchrist was furious about falling one run short of three figures.

He deserved a century.

Previously averaging just 29 at the Cup despite looking a million dollars, Gilchrist's timing was effortlessly and destructively sweet from the very first of the 88 balls he faced, hitting 14 fours and two sixes.

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