Ponting was leading the side in place of the injured Michael Clarke, assuming the captaincy for the first time since he stood down as skipper after last year's World Cup.

Michael Hussey was recalled to Australia's batting order in Clarke's absence, while Brett Lee also returned from a broken toe to replace Ryan Harris in the bowling attack. Spinner Xavier Doherty had recovered from back spasms.

Lahiru Thirimanne replaced Upul Tharanga in Sri Lanka's top order, while Sachithra Senanayake made way for fellow-paceman Farveez Maharoof.

Lineups:

Australia: David Warner, Matthew Wade, Ricky Ponting (captain), Peter Forrest, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, New Zealand, and Simon Fry, Australia.