Australia skipper Ricky Ponting felt too many mistakes cost them the match and resulted in an early exit from the ICC World Twenty20 after they lost by six wickets to Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge.
Australia, who needed a win to keep their Super Eights hopes alive following their defeat to the West Indies in the first match, struggled to get going against Sri Lanka and managed just 159 in the 20 overs.
And then half-centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan (53) and captain Kumar Sangakkara (55 n.o.) saw Sri Lanka through.
"It was disappointing to lose the match. Can't explain the reason for the defeat," said Ponting at the post-match ceremony.
"We committed too many mistakes in this match," said the skipper, who contributed 25 runs.
Ponting conceded that the Sri Lankan slow bowlers did a good job by picking up key wickets.
"We knew we had to play the spinners well but didn't," he said.
His Sri Lankan counterpart Sangakkara, who anchored the team to victory, chose to give credit to the bowlers.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga picked up three wickets each while debutant left-arm pacer Isuru Udana bagged a couple to stifle Australia.
"It was a team performance. The key was to rotate the bowlers and they did a good job," said Sangakkara.
He also showered praise on Dilshan, whose hurricane knock set the tone for the run chase.
"Dilshan has done well at number three for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. He is inventive and attacking and has done well for us at the top of the order. Jehan (Mubarak) too did a good job," the skipper said, adding they need to bursh some areas before facing the West Indies in the last group league match.
