Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed unhappiness with his bowlers' showing after the three-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series match, in Hobart, on Friday.
Despite posting a competitive 280 the Aussies ended up on the losing side.
- India have stiff task after SL stun Aus
"Another tight one, but, unfortunately, we couldn't get over the line; but full credit to Sri Lanka. Our execution with the ball wasn't good. The top four could also do better. They need to set it up for the rest," said Clarke, after the match.
"Sri Lanka showed tonight that if you hang in, you can take it home," he added.
Clarke said Sunday's game against India now assumes greater significance for the hosts.
"Big game for us against India in Sydney; we need to perform well in that," he said.
Back to lead the side after missing a couple of matches due to a hamstring strain, Clarke said his back is troubling him a bit.
"I am still a bit stiff in the back, but I will be fine. I will get treatment from the physio and will be fine," he said.
He lauded young Peter Forrest, who took the number three slot from the axed Ricky Ponting, and responded with a maiden ODI hundred.
"Peter was excellent today; all credit to him," he said.
His opposite number Mahela Jayawardene, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 85-run knock that set the tone for the successful chase, said his young team is shaping up well.
Sri Lanka are the unlikely table-toppers right now with 15 points from six matches.
"The youngsters are learning a lot from these games. We are top of the table, but we still need to do a lot of hard work," he added.
Talking about his own innings, Jayawardene said he was lucky to get more strike.
"I probably got more of the strike than Dilly (Tillakaratne Dilshan). I was in a zone and it was one of those days when most of your shots went to the gaps," he said.
"We needed a good start and we went through the history of this ground. One side of the ground is smaller, so it was a tough ground to defend on. We have to continue playing well, our goal is to get to the final," he added.
