No need for panic after Sri Lanka rout, says coach

``There is no need to panic - not immediately anyway,'' said coach Roy Dias in the wake of the team's 89 all out debacle when they batted first before a crowd of about 12,000 at the WACA Ground.

Australia A replied with an embarrassingly comfortable 2-92, winning the opening match of the Sri Lankan tour in just three and a half hours.

``There was a lot of bounce and seam and our batsmen could not adjust to the pitch,'' said Dias of the woeful start.

``But we have time to adapt our game before the start of the one-day series against Australia and England.''

Sri Lanka begin their campaign in the lucrative series with a day-night match against England in Brisbane on January 11.

``It was disappointing that we had seven batsmen in the side and so few really got going,'' Dias said.

``It was a shame someone could not stay with captain Arjuna Ranatunga.''

The veteran Ranatunga, at number five, laboured for 79 minutes to craft an unbeaten 21 from 43 balls, but saw seven wickets crash at the other end.

Sent in by the home team, Sri Lanka survived a mere 25.1 overs, as only opener Romesh Kaluwitharana (21), Marvan Atapattu (12) and Upul Chandana (10) provided any meaningful support to their skipper.

The Sri Lankans batted with little discipline and application, were rusty in the field and caused the Australian batsmen few problems.

Australian A fast bowler Shane Lee captured 4-11 off seven overs, while Test paceman Matthew Nicholson snapped up 2-22 from seven overs.

The home team had no trouble romping to victory in 79 minutes off a mere 18 overs.

Australia A captain Greg Blewett said: ``We thought one or two of their batsmen might have gutsed it out and got a score.''

``The ball swung a bit when it was new, but it was a pretty good wicket,'' he said.

``Despite their poor showing here, I would expect them to be very competitive when the major one-day internationals get under way.''

Sri Lanka's humiliation was complete when they were asked to play in an exhibition game at the end of the scheduled match.

Officials arranged the second hit-out hurriedly in a bid to give a crowd of more than 11,000 value for their money.

Sri Lanka fared marginally better, making 133-7 from 25 overs as Sanath Jayasuriya hit 50 and Marvan Atapattu 27.

But Australia A replied with 134-5 (Shane Lee 45) to win by five wickets with 2.2 overs to spare.

In the scheduled game, the Australia A side, composed of players on the fringe of Australian senior selection, wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in only 132 minutes.

This match was one of three the tourists are playing against Australia A before the start of the series against Australia and England.

The other two warm-up fixtures will be in Adelaide Tuesday and Melbourne Friday.