Meg Lanning pleased with Australia's response to challenging situations

Lanning and Rachael Haynes had added 126 runs for the second wicket and Australia seemed to be in control. Once Lanning fell for a match-winning 66-ball 73, however, wickets fell at regular intervals as the hosts slipped from 138/1 to 203/5.

But with Beth Mooney going strong, all she needed was some company, which she got through Nicola Carey (19) as the duo added 44 for the sixth wicket and bumped the score up to a formidable 281/8. Then, each of Tayla Vlaeminck, Jess Jonassen and Ashleigh Gardner took two wickets apiece to seal a big win for the side – their 16th in a row.

Lanning, who was named Player of the Match, said she was pleased with how her team responded to that mini-collapse following her dismissal. "It’s good to see how people respond in those situations and that’s happened throughout that series," she said.

"(Chamari) Athapaththu, in the first T20 took it to us, and I thought the way we responded to that was really good.

"I thought Sri Lanka bowled pretty well today. They kept it tight and were able to take wickets throughout, which is was probably the reason we fell a little bit short of what we would’ve liked, but all in all, it was a pretty good performance. We were able to take wickets throughout, so that was a pretty pleasing aspect."

Sri Lanka's bowlers, throughout the series, have made it a point to remind Australia to stay in their crease, using the threat of running them out at the non-striker's end as a deterrent. Shashikala Siriwardena employed the tactic to Ellyse Perry soon after Lanning's dismissal.

Lanning admitted the onus was on the batters to stay grounded until the ball is released, as the bowler is entitled to effect a run out if they don't. "We’ve spoken about it, making sure we’re staying in our crease and watching the ball out of the bowlers' hand," she said.

"That’s what we can control in the situation. I didn’t think any of our players were intending to leave the crease early, but it’s something we’ve got to be aware of."

Siriwardena said Sri Lanka used the tactic as a means of controlling runs, as it ensures batters don't get a headstart. "The batters have to stay in the crease until the ball is released," she said.

"We do it in training also, it might help us [save some runs]. So it’s a tactical move."

The two teams next square off in the second one-day international, at the same venue on Monday, 7 October.