Jaywardene claims 'team's character' paved way for win

Canberra, Feb 12 (UNI) Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawerdene said it was a planned approach that was well executed by his side that led to a moral boosting eight-wicket win against India at the Manuka Oval here today.

He said his side showed character and mettle which led to their victory in this all-important tie. The win was Sri Lanka's first in the series and gives them a total of six points from three matches, just behind Australia (7 points from 3 games) with India leading the chart (8 points from 4 games).

''I told you before the game that it was a crucial game for us,'' Jayawardene told mediapersons after the match.

''We needed to show character. I thought the guys did show character and fought really well. Winning the toss was a bit of an advantage on that wicket earlier on.

''We managed to keep them to a decent score and the chase was well-calculated so credit to the guys for the way they handled themselves,'' he said.

The 30-year-old skipper added that the series is now wide open and has reached an interesting phase with not much to choose between the three sides at the moment.

''All three teams have been very consistent in the last 12 months in one-day cricket and it's a great place to be, in Australia for the triangular series.

''Brilliant crowd, brilliant atmosphere, all to play for.

It's going to be an exciting thing.'' However, the Indian camp did not lose heart with their first loss in the series with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying his side has the character to overcome this defeat.

''But these are things that happen in international cricket and you need character and courage to get out of it,'' Dhoni said.

He said the revised total of 154 was very much defendable but the start that Sri Lanka got made the target look small and conceded that Sreesanth, who gave 48 runs in his three overs, had an off day.

''He was a bit down, the way Sanath played,'' Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said of Sreesanth.

''The kind of start they got was really amazing.

''There's nothing much you can do as a captain. It was really amazing to see Dilshan bat and the way he carried on with his innings. That was a key,'' he said.

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