The rotation policy saw Tendulkar, vice-captain Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir being rested in turn.

Australia clinched the cricket tri-series title as they relied on a spirited bowling display to beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in a low-scoring thriller.

Australia won the first final by 15 runs on Sunday and can clinch the best-of-three match series with another victory in Adelaide.

Australia will be hoping to seal the issue tomorrow itself when they take on a spirited Sri Lanka in the second match of the best-of-three finals of the cricket tri-series here.

Malinga has been taken to the cleaners for the second time in three games, but skipper Jayawardene backed the express bowler.