Mahela blames first innings debacle for defeat

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

Mahela Jayawardena the Sri Lanka skipper attributed his side's defeat to bad batting in the first innings.

Fronting up to the media after his team's innings and 40-run defeat to Australia, he said that had the team batted in the first innings like they did in the second innings, they could have been more competitive.

'It was the first innings collapse that put us on the back foot for the rest of the game. Had we batted with more responsibility the story could have been different', he said.

He justified his decision to bowl first. 'There was seam and swing in the wicket, because of the moisture on the wicket.

'But the Aussie batsmen accustomed well and batted sensibly and although the bowlers tried, the early wickets that we were looking for did not come', said the skipper.

He praised his bowlers, especially Muralitharan who he said was always a trier and bowled cleverly. 'Had the catches been taken he could have had a few wickets more,' he said.

As for not playing Lasith Malinga, he said that the selectors had a long discussion and it boiled down to either Vaas or Malinga, 'Vaas got the nod' he said. 'But Malinga will come into the team when we sit to pick the playing eleven in Hobart. But that too would depend after a look at he wicket he said. And on the burning topic of Atapattu and the Muppet Show, he admitted that this episode was going on for well over four months, and it should have been remained in closed doors.

'As captain, I have to focus on the team and the challenges ahead and would not want to comment further on the issue'. Asked if Atapattu would be sent back he said that the opening batsman was expressing his views and that is not something to send him back.

'He is one of our best batsmen, joins in team discussions and generally has been very helpful. We need him at the top', said Jayawardena. He could probably cop a fine or be reprimanded.

That depends on Sri Lanka Cricket. Jayawardena concluded by saying that the team will put this defeat behind them and come out firing at the Aussies in Hobart.

Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting said that it was a nice way to start the season and while saying good things about Muttiah Muralitheran and his bowling, said that he would be happy if he went without breaking Shane Warne's record in Australia.

In Brisbane the climate has been cold, and it is not going to be any better in Hobart. The Lankan cricketers like the sun on their backs and it would be interesting to watch how they will acclamatise and come out of the game.

The Gabba, Brisbane, Monday