Ricky Ponting hopes one of Australia's most comprehensive victories in recent times can help them maintain their one-day hold over Sri Lanka, who have won only one of the past eight meetings between the sides. Nathan Bracken's best ODI figures confirmed the 128-run win but Ponting said there were no weak links anywhere in his side's performance and his men had adjusted ideally to the slow SCG pitch.
Sri Lanka had plenty of regrets, however, and Mahela Jayawardene said the players faced some home truths in a lengthy team meeting after the game. "We had quite a few things to discuss, especially the way we batted today," Jayawardene said. "It's something that keeps happening to us the last six months. In certain situations we haven't adapted well."
Jayawardene was critical of his players' shot selection and conceded his own dismissal was one of the ugliest. However, Australia's ability to vary their attack was crucial as Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 51.
Bracken came back with cutters after a short opening spell of swing bowling, which was important on a pitch that didn't offer significant pace, and Ponting was also pleased with his other bowlers. "I knew that Nathan would do a good job through the middle of the innings," Ponting said, "which is why he only bowled his three up the top.
"Mitchell Johnson bowled probably as well as he has bowled for Australia. We've got lots and lots of options and a lot of those are more suited to these sort of conditions that we've had here tonight."
Brett Lee picked up the important early wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya, who misjudged the pace and played on, and Johnson's five overs cost only nine runs and frustrated Jayawardene into a loose drive that he edged behind. Brad Hogg chipped in with a wicket and James Hopes kept things tight, but Ponting also praised his batsmen after they posted 6 for 253.
Michael Clarke did not lose his cool despite being denied boundaries and he finished unbeaten on 73, while Adam Gilchrist was uncharacteristically cautious in his 61. "That was a very complete performance," Ponting said. "The wicket wasn't easy to bat on, it was pretty two-paced and there was a few bouncing a bit more than expected so that sort of total I thought was always going to be competitive."
Jayawardene said Australia's batsmen had simply adjusted to the conditions better than Sri Lanka but he hoped they could put the thrashing behind them before their next game against Australia at the WACA next Friday. "We don't want the line-up to be too negative because we've got a very talented group of players," he said. "We just need to make sure they get their heads in the right place."
Ponting said it would be difficult for Sri Lanka to fight back after such a one-sided game in the first match between the sides since the World Cup final. "We've dominated them a lot [recently] so tonight was another step forward for us," Ponting said. "To have a comprehensive victory like that at the start of a one-day series is always good and hopefully we can stay on top of them for the rest of the series."