Australia are determined they won’t be making the same mistake twice after letting South Africa off the hook in Brisbane and Adelaide.
Coach Mickey Arthur says the Proteas taught his side a lesson in how to be ruthless, and hapless Sri Lanka are set to pay the price.
Australia believe they could have won the recently completed series after having South Africa 5-166 at the Gabba and 8-248 at the Adelaide Oval in the second innings of the first two drawn Tests.
But the world No.1 side stood up when it counted to win in Perth and take the series 1-0.
“We arguably felt that probably over the whole series we might have played the better cricket,” Arthur told ABC radio.
“But what South Africa showed us is, when they got a sniff of a victory, they went straight through the door and broke our necks and that’s the hallmark of a good side.
“We’ve got to learn that … and that’s something we take from that series.”
The lesson doesn’t augur well for the Lankans, who were 4-87 at stumps on day two of the first Test at Bellerive after Australia had piled on 5(dec)-450.
Already Mike Hussey (115no) and Matthew Wade (68no) appeared to be heeding it with a 146-run unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership that knocked the stuffing out of the tourists.
And Australia’s bowlers followed up by ripping through the tourists’ top order.
Arthur said taking out the Lankans meant not underestimating them.
“I think they’re a very useful team,” he said.
“They beat South Africa in (a Test in) South Africa last year.
“If you’re not on your guard and not playing your best cricket, these guys can get all over you.
“So we’re certainly not underestimating them one iota.”