The burly former Durham all-rounder limited the hosts to 212 all out from 50 overs in Dambulla, a target Australia overhauled with a massive 19 overs to spare as George Bailey compiled 90 not out.

Recently retired Tillakaratne Dilshan’s replacement at the top of the order, Avishka Fernado, making his international debut, did not last long – going lbw to Mitchell Starc for nought in the first over.

Fernando’s opening partner Dhananjaya de Silva fared better, his 76 being his first format fifty and the highest score of the innings. However in the 29th over Dhananjaya became Hastings’ second victim, and the seamer then dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting.

To make matters worse for the hosts, captain Angelo Mathews – who won the toss – had just been forced to retire hurt by a calf injury. With his team rapidly losing wickets, he returned to make 40 before being Hastings’ last wicket.

A day after England broke the ODI record by amassing 444 for three against Pakistan, Australia set off even faster thanks chiefly to Aaron Finch lashing 55 in 19 balls, giving him the joint-quickest half-century by an Australian.

With Finch and Usman Khawaja falling in the sixth over, both trapped in front by Sachith Pathirana, Australia still raced to 97 for two from seven overs immediately before stand-in skipper David Warner departed.

Bailey, who lashed 20 off his first five deliveries, and Travis Head shared a much steadier stand of 100, the latter eventually going for 40 shortly before victory was completed.