Ponting: 'They have got something to think about'

After winning the first one-dayer and playing a vital role in it, Ricky Ponting was pleased with the team's efforts, and that their plans worked. "The pleasing thing about it, was that we did everything we said we were going to do coming into the game," Ponting said.

He commended the batting, and said that putting up 260 made it hard for Sri Lanka. "Batting in the top order was excellent with some good partnerships. We played their spin sensibly, rotating the strike and hitting the bad balls for four. Kept wickets in hand for the end and Symo did a good job for us there. To get 260 on that wicket was a good effort and we knew that if we bowled and fielded half-decently they were in for a tough chase."

Why? The wicket was tough to bat on, and it would be equally hard for both teams. And now Sri Lanka knew that Australia could play in these conditions. "You play on wickets like that, I don't care how good a batting side you are, you are going to struggle chasing a total like that with a decent attack," Ponting said. "If they want to prepare those kind of tracks then is going to be equally as hard for them as it is for us. We have shown them tonight how well we can play in these conditions. They have got something to think about. They know they have to improve a lot. In a five match series you always want to get off to a good start and we have done that."

Ponting wondered why Muttiah Muralitharan bowled the doosra with such regularity, and said the batsmen were starting to pick it. "He bowled a lot of the other ones tonight and didn't bowl a lot of offspinners to the right-handers. Not sure why but that is how he went about it tonight. I thought we played him really well to keep him wicketless until I think his last over. You can see it but you have still got to play it. You don't come across many guys that actually spin that one away. You see it out of the hand and you think it might go on but it does spin away. The guys have had a good look at that tonight and we did a tremendous job. The line is an indication as well because he has to bowl it straighter. We always knew he was different but now we have to put up with a new delivery."

Andrew Symonds biffed 37 runs in 20 balls when Australia were at a crucial juncture. Ponting said the team always knew he had talent, but it was up to Symonds to realise it. "You have a kind of gut feeling about guys and everyone knew he had as much talent as he has shown recently. Just a matter of getting that out and he has matured and turned into a very good cricketer.