Australia supplanted Sri Lanka in second spot in World Cup Pool A propelled by a 'big show' ton from Glenn Maxwell before they weathered Kumar Sangakkara's third consecutive century in Sydney on Sunday.

– #Quiz360: Sunday – WIN dinner for two at Media Rotana
– NZ maintain perfect Cricket World Cup record with win over Afghanistan

The Australians, aiming for a fifth World Cup triumph, amassed 376 for nine, Maxwell lighting up the Sydney Cricket Ground with 102 off 53 balls and then restricted Sri Lanka to 312 for nine to win by 64 runs.

It was a crucial win by the co-hosts, leapfrogging Sri Lanka into second spot behind New Zealand with one more group match to play. Victory secured Australia's place in the last eight and made a quarter-final against South Africa less likely.

No side batting second have made more to win a World Cup match than Ireland's 329 for seven against England in Bangalore four years ago.

The mighty Sangakkara gave it a big shake, raising his third consecutive ton at the tournament off 100 balls and his 24th century in his 402nd ODI.

But the Australians breathed easier when he holed out to James Faulkner for 104 giving Aaron Finch a running catch to end his otherwise chanceless knock.

Maxwell blasted his half-century off 26 balls with a pulled six off Thisara Perera and was particularly brutal with Seekkuge Prasanna, hoisting the leg-spinner for 34 off just 12 balls.

The Sri Lankans were at their wits' end trying to find ways to stop the run riot as Maxwell and Watson took the bowlers apart. Watson struck 67 off 41 balls, Steve Smith hit 72 off 88 balls and skipper Michael Clarke chipped in with a run-a-ball 68.

The 1996 World Cup champions lost Lahiru Thirimanne for one in the second over, snapped up behind by Brad Haddin off Mitchell Johnson.

But the experienced pair of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sangakkara set about taking on the challenge, with Dilshan defiantly smacking Johnson for six fours off one over.

Clarke dropped Dilshan on 46 in a running two-handed chance as the pair raced along with home fans clapping dot balls. But Dilshan fell leg before to James Faulkner's slower ball for 62 off 60 balls after putting on 130 with Sangakkara.

Mahela Jayawardene threw away his wicket on 19 attempting a risky single only to caught short of his ground by Clarke's throw from mid-off.

Sri Lanka kept fighting until the end with Dinesh Chandimal cracking 52 off 24 balls before retiring hurt with hamstring trouble and skipper Angelo Mathews gloved Watson to Brad Haddin for 35. Faulkner finished with an impressive three for 48.