Cricket: Australia in a tight spot

Australian cricket coach John Buchanan admitted the team must brace themselves for the consequences if they lose the tri-series finals to Sri Lanka, having botched the first match at Adelaide Oval. Buchanan said Friday's 22-run loss - which featured five run outs and a stumping - left the team in a tight spot that would galvanise the players if the finals were won but provide cause for changes if they were not.

A loss in Sydney today would make Ricky Ponting the first home skipper to experience defeat in the tri-series finals since Allan Border lost out to Richie Richardson's West Indians in 1993.