"We still can improve a lot in all departments. It was a pretty convincing victory today, but we need to be at our best to beat England," Mathews said.
Sri Lanka's big win was set up by opening batsman Kusal Perera, who smashed his third ODI ton and first since his comeback to international cricket after suspension. Perera made 135 off 128 deliveries and was involved in an explosive 161-run stand for the second wicket with pinch-hitter Seekuge Prasanna, who made 95 off just 46 deliveries. The partnership helped Sri Lanka post a mammoth 377 on the board for the loss of eight wickets. In reply, Ireland managed to score only 241 with Suranga Lakmal picking up four wickets.
"Perera and Danuska Gunathilaka had a brilliant opening partnership (147) and after that solid foundation it was a tactical decision to bring in the pinch-hitter and take the game forward," Mathews said.
"It was a very good wicket and a tough ask for the bowlers but we stuck to our task. They had to bowl good lines and lengths. Having said that, after scoring 377 it was a tough ask for the Irish because they had to go at it from ball one, so we had to bowl dot balls and create pressure."
The Sri Lankan skipper also had a word of praise for young all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who was named man of the series for scoring 43 runs and picking up six wickets.
"Shanaka is becoming a very good all-rounder for us and hopefully he will continue in the England ODIs and for the next few years," he said.
"We were short of seam-bowling all-rounders, but now with Farveez Maharoof, Shanaka and myself, we have plenty of options."
The first ODI between England and Sri Lanka will be played at Nottingham on Tuesday (June 21).
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