Captain Michael Clarke has blamed his fellow top-order batsmen for Australia's 78-run defeat in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
The tourists missed the chance to clinch the five-game series in Hambantota when they were bowled out for 208 in pursuit of Sri Lanka's 286 for nine.
Opener Upul Tharanga's 111 set a testing target that Australia never truly looked like hauling in as Lasith Malinga cut through the Australia batting with five for 28.
"We didn't perform well enough at the top of the order," Clarke said.
"We have no excuses. We didn't perform as well as we would like and we know that.
"We have some work to do over the next few days because, as I said from the start, playing Sri Lanka, especially in their home conditions, you have to be at your best to beat them."
Clarke managed 46 while Michael Hussey top-scored with 63 to offer some resistance, but Malinga's devastating pace and length deliveries proved the difference.
Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was also full of praise for his leading bowler, who has just returned from a back injury.
"The first 10 overs were crucial, and we did well to see them off," Dilshan said.
"All the batsmen that followed did well. We believed 260 was good to defend, and we proved it.
"(Shaminda) Eranga bowled really well, and Malinga was good as usual."
The series now moves to the capital Colombo, where the fourth match takes place on Saturday.
more...
The tourists missed the chance to clinch the five-game series in Hambantota when they were bowled out for 208 in pursuit of Sri Lanka's 286 for nine.
Opener Upul Tharanga's 111 set a testing target that Australia never truly looked like hauling in as Lasith Malinga cut through the Australia batting with five for 28.
"We didn't perform well enough at the top of the order," Clarke said.
"We have no excuses. We didn't perform as well as we would like and we know that.
"We have some work to do over the next few days because, as I said from the start, playing Sri Lanka, especially in their home conditions, you have to be at your best to beat them."
Clarke managed 46 while Michael Hussey top-scored with 63 to offer some resistance, but Malinga's devastating pace and length deliveries proved the difference.
Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was also full of praise for his leading bowler, who has just returned from a back injury.
"The first 10 overs were crucial, and we did well to see them off," Dilshan said.
"All the batsmen that followed did well. We believed 260 was good to defend, and we proved it.
"(Shaminda) Eranga bowled really well, and Malinga was good as usual."
The series now moves to the capital Colombo, where the fourth match takes place on Saturday.
more...
