NAIROBI, Sept 8 AAP - The Australian cricket team heads to Sri Lanka today in a buoyant mood despite the anti-climactic finish to the triangular series in Nairobi.

The final against Pakistan was called off after 9.3 overs of Australia's innings after persistent rain and thunderstorms.

Australia was 1-67 in its chase for 228 to win, with captain Ricky Ponting in hot form on 29 not out and Matthew Hayden (20) again showing his impenetrability to finish with a series average of 265.00.

"It would have been nice to have had a full game to finish - it was shaping up to be tight game and it's disappointing it ended the way it did," said Ponting ahead of the team's departure to the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in Colombo.

"But it was a good series for us, we got a lot of positives out of it - Matthew's batting, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee's bowling and Shane Watson improved as the tournament went on.

"Our catching and ground fielding was also outstanding throughout the tournament."

He was most impressed with Lee's maturity and attitude.

"I think it's just been his mind set more than anything - he's decided to run in and bowl and try to get the ball in the same area every time and not try to blast batsmen out and do too much," Ponting said.

Lee played second fiddle to Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie in the wicket-taking stakes, but managed eight scalps at an average of 13.50 and conceded 3.38 runs per over.

"The way he bowled in this tournament has been outstanding - he's hardly bowled any bad balls, hardly a wide and he's been patient.

"Those were the things we spoke about wanting him to do and he's really got the bit between his teeth, settled down and worked hard and the results are paying off on the field," Ponting added.

Lee was initially set to take a back seat to Andy Bichel under Australia's policy of trying to pick the best side each time. But an injury to Bichel after the first game gave Lee his chance and he didn't look back.

"It's going to be a hard selection from now on regarding those two (Lee and Bichel)," Ponting said.

Also impressing the skipper was young all-rounder Shane Watson, who batted well to save the game against Kenya on Thursday and bowled better and better as the tournament went on.

"The game against Kenya was a real tough fight for him - most players grow from those situations," Ponting said of his fellow Tasmanian's match-winning 77 not out which prevented a shock loss to Kenya.

"And I thought his bowling today (in the final) was sensational.

"An indicator for our side is that if I field a lot of balls at backward point it means the bowlers are bowling well - and I fielded a lot of balls off Shane.

"He just needs a bit more confidence and to learn how to play at the highest level and he'll get that with a bit more experience."

Australia will arrive in Colombo on Monday afternoon and is scheduled to play a practice game against the West Indies before meeting New Zealand on September 14.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.