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'Aussies won't be derailed by loss to Lanka'

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Agencies

Posted: Feb 29, 2008 at 1958 hrs IST

Melbourne, February 29: The defeat in the final league match against Sri Lanka will not derail Australia's campaign in the tri-series finals and captain Ricky Ponting claimed the hosts were geared up to face India in the title clashes.

"We are focussed on Sunday's game. If we had won today, there would have been more momentum in our favour. But we would be sharp and switched on for Sunday," he said.

The Aussie captain hailed retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist for his hurricane innings which, at one point, seemed to take Australia to an easy victory.

"There was a little bit on the surface. While chasing runs, you cannot afford to lose wickets. But Gilly played really well. He struck the ball beautifully and it is good for him to be in great form going into the finals," he said.

"220 was a challenging target. Sri Lanka bowled well and took their chances," he said.

Ponting said calling the coin correctly would assume importance in the finals against Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team.

The additional few days could also prove to be an advantage for the Indians as they would get more time for practice, he felt.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said his side would learn from the mistakes which dented their chances of reaching the best-of-three finals.

Despite the 13-run victory today, their lacklustre performances earlier in the campaign had ensured Sri Lanka were already out of the race for the finals.

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