Australia managed to shoot down Sri Lanka for just 117 in the first innings. However, they folded for 203 in reply. Kusal Mendis revived Sri Lanka's chances with a 254-ball 176 and helped the hosts set a target of 268. There was little resistance from the visitors as they nosedived to a loss in the final day after Steve Smith's 55.
"They've got to be better at decision-making," he said, when he fronted the media on Monday (August 1). "The disappointing thing was we gave up a big lead. We should've made more runs in the first innings. We let them off the hook there. The positive was we got 20 wickets again. If we keep getting 20 wickets, it gives you a good chance that if your batters are making runs to win games of cricket.
"That was the pleasing thing for us, especially when we had a bowler down in the second innings. And there's enough upside there that we know we're on the right path with the type of team we want to play. It gets down to just the execution against their spinners really. We've been very good at first-innings runs in the last 12 months, and that was the big challenge. Your first-innings runs set up games, and that was what we needed to do.
Lehmann, however, refused to brush aside any concerns about the batsmen's ability to play spin. Australia lost 18 off their 20 wickets to spin with with Rangana Herath bagging nine. "I thought some of the guys really applied themselves better in the second innings than the first," he pointed out. "Probably decision-making cost them at the end of the day. That sort of innings was very good from Steven. The wicket might be different batting first here at Galle, if you win the toss. I think it'll still spin from day one, but it just is what it is.
"I can't remember a better preparation. I know that sounds a bit silly when you get bowled out for 200 and 160. I think the batters are in a really good space, probably their decision-making wasn't quite up to scratch in this Test match - well, it wasn't up to scratch. We had starts but no-one got on with it, we had partnerships but no one had a big one, which is something we have done really well in the last 12 months - we have had big partnerships. That's a challenge for the batting group, getting through those tough times.
"Now they have seen [Lakshan] Sandakan, it is going to be a lot easier to play and Herath is obviously a very quality bowler. They have got to work out a plan. We have talked about it a lot so they know what to do, it's just executing more than anything else.
Australia have included Jon Holland in the squad after Steve O'Keefe was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. The left-arm spinner, who is likely to make his Test debut in Galle, earned some praise from his coach. "He's tall, he's got good shape on the ball, he bowls at a decent pace. I'm sure he'll have success here. We think it's a really good way to go. We'll have to wait and see what the wicket is, but I'm pretty sure we'll play two spinners again.
"He's always been thought of really highly. Especially with the Shield final - he ended up with eight for the game and he bowled very well. So his record when he's up and fit has been excellent, he's just had a lot of injuries the last few years."
The second Test of the three-match series starts from August 4.
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