Sri Lanka vice-captain Angelo Mathews says the mood in his team's camp remains positive even after losing their first two games of the Commonwealth Bank Series.
Sri Lanka, who arrived in turmoil following the decision to sack coach Geoff Marsh just months after he was appointed and change their captain, continued their disappointing start to the tri-series with a five-run loss to Australia at the WACA Ground.
But they nearly pulled off the most unlikely of victories, with Mathews almost single-handedly rescuing them from 7-143 with 15 overs left and later needing 36 off the last 17 deliveries with one wicket left chasing 232 for victory.
Mathews, who blasted 64, guided his side to a situation where they needed just six runs off the final two balls from Mitchell Starc but was caught in the deep going for the game-winning shot as his side was denied a miracle victory.
Despite falling just short, Mathews said Sri Lanka could hold their head high after the match.
"I really thought that we had it. It was just six runs off two balls and we were just one shot away from victory," he said.
"I never expected a bumper from Starc [on the penultimate ball], I was expecting a yorker but he pulled a bumper out of his bag and I was a bit surprised but then I had to go for it ... We were almost there, we were just one shot away and unfortunately we couldn't make it."
"I actually thought the bowlers did a very good job, to keep them to 231 I thought was amazing."
"Then I thought we were sitting pretty at 2-90 but then we lost a few wickets ... we came back strong and it was very unfortunate that we couldn't pull it off."
"But we played pretty good cricket. We have six more games to go and we have to keep our heads up. We're feeling pretty good, obviously disappointed, but the mood was pretty good."
The incredible fight-back brought back memories of Sri Lanka's incredible win over Australia in Melbourne in November 2010, when Mathews scored an unbeaten 77 and combined with Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan to put on 136 runs for the last two wickets.
Mathews admitted that game had been in the back of his mind while batting in Perth, where he hit four boundaries and a six in his 76-ball innings.
The 24-year-old, widely touted as Sri Lanka's future captain, came in at No.7 against Australia despite averaging nearly 40 in Tests and 33.5 in one-day internationals but said he was happy to do it as long as the team required him there.
"The team needs me to try to finish off the game," he said.