Mathews backs Sri Lanka big guns

Perth, (AFP): Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews believes his team's star batsmen are ready to start turning promising starts into substantial scores and help their side rediscover winning form.

Sri Lanka suffered their second successive defeat to start the triangular one-day series against Australia and India on Friday, falling by five runs to the hosts at the WACA.

Mathews said more runs were needed from the top order to turn Sri Lankan fortunes around.

Their three best batsman - Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene - have all got into double figures in both their tri-series games, but none has gone on to make a substantial score.

Mathews, who made 64 batting at number seven to almost rescue his side from a seemingly hopeless position on Friday, said it was only a matter of time before the trio capitalised on their early good work at the crease.

"Sangakkara, Dilshan, Jayawardene, they are world-class players, we all know that," he said.

They have been  getting starts. I am sure they will bounce back and go for a big one in the next few games. "