Sri Lanka survived a controversial umpire decision to beat Australia by one run in the second one-day international cricket match at Dambulla Stadium, levelling the five-match series at 1-1.

The match almost hinged on the unusual decision of umpire Peter Manuel to change his decision after giving out Andrew Symonds leg before wicket to Kumar Dharmasena in the 41st over.

Symonds had walked three-quarters of the way to the boundary and the Sri Lankans were celebrating a crucial wicket when Sri Lankan Manuel changed his decision.

Symonds, almost off the ground by this stage, was called back by the Manuel and fellow umpire Billy Bowden.

Adam Gilchrist, the non-striker at the time, later said Manuel had given out Symonds but then had doubts and asked Bowden if Symonds had hit the ball first.

Bowden said yes, according to Gilchrist, and Manuel decided to change his mind.

Symonds was on 10 at the time and his dismissal would have left Australia deep in trouble at 5-190, having just lost Matthew Hayden for 93 off the previous ball.

The Queenslander went on to make 36 not out but it wasn't enough for the world champions as Sri Lanka reversed the 84-run loss in the opening game.

The incident put extra spice in an already tense game during which Bowden also warned the Sri Lankans about the excessive appealing of Lankan wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana.

The other controversy came when the home side decided to reuse the pitch from the first game on Friday, the idea being a spinner's paradise was the best way to bring about the world champions' downfall.

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