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BRISBANE, Sunday (AFP) - Captain Sanath Jayasuriya said on Sunday his Sri Lankan team were not about to press the panic button after their heavy 102-run defeat to Australia A in a warmup one-day match here.

Without key bowlers Muttiah Muralitharan (injured) and Chaminda Vaas and batsman Hashan Tillekeratne, who were rested for the match, Australia A racked up 312 for eight at the Gabba here on Saturday. Sri Lanka's reply was 210 for six.

Sri Lanka play their first match in the triangular series against England at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Jayasuriya said with Muralitharan expected to return after Christmas and Vaas to come back for the next game, the Sri Lankans should be very competitive against the all-conquering Australians in the one-day series.

But he said he was "a little disappointed" with the batting, apart from Russel Arnold who scored 86 runs.

"It was just a practice game for us and getting used to these conditions in Australia," he said.

Jayasuriya said playing against the top Australian side would be a great challenge.

"When we are playing Australia the conditions always favour them and they are playing well at the moment," he said.

"I think they're the best side at the moment -- most of the batsmen are in good nick and the bowlers are hitting the ball all the time in the right areas," he said.

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