Sri Lanka got it all wrong in Melbourne. I wouldn't have opted to field even with prospects of rains in the evening. Sri Lanka's best chance was to bat without pressure first up. Putting all the eggs in the basket of batsmen, or Kumar Sangakkara, wasn't the most clever option. Australians, at this very venue, had shown a couple of weeks ago that even 160 wouldn't be an easy climb against them. Having said so, Sri Lankan bowlers were outstanding. They put Australia under the hammer for long-only the support in the field wasn't as pronounced. Around a dozen shies at the stumps missed the target; quite a few pick-ups were not quite as clean and a couple of chances were grassed too. All this and Lanka could have got Australia cheaper than for 184 runs. Both Sri Lanka and India could do well to attend one of Australia's practice sessions. It's fascinating to see how Mike Young, their fielding coach, makes cricketers go round a set of stumps and attempt hits while on the move. In big Australian grounds, fielding can make all the difference. Most runs are accrued with sprints between the wickets, and not with fours and sixes, and alacrity in stealing your runs or securing a cheeky run-out is the best bet in Australia. The strip wasn't any dissimilar to what we have seen in Melbourne all this summer. It didn't come on to the bat and the bounce too varied at times. Australia's top order again was ordinary and it was left to the middle order to clean up the mess. Michael Clarke has really come on to his own in the last few weeks. In the context of the game, his stand with Michael Hussey was critical. It's clear Sri Lanka needs to sort out its' batting. They need to have a settled, and scoring, opening pair. The lower half doesn't inspire any confidence and the tail starts too early. Too much is left on the plate of Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene. Sooner than later, both Sri Lanka and India would have to come to terms with Australia's strengths. They are clearly a force in the field, with or without Brett Lee. It's not easy to tonk their bowlers over the infield and hence power plays hardly go the desired way. Openers, for both visiting teams, must show up and lay a platform. The two visitors also need to have similar thrust in the field. Misfields, dropped chances and above all awry shies at the stumps wouldn't do. Fielders in the ring need to show greater purpose to make the most of wobbly Australian batting. Batting is their Achilles' heel and maximum pressure must be applied on it. As the Australian summer draws to a close, it would interest us to see how the young Indians measure up to the challenge in final rounds. They are in the eye of everyone who want to be reassured of their quality. Dhoni has taken a big leap of faith and merits of his judgment would be up for scrutiny.