Australian captain Michael Clarke says he was delighted with the performance of his bowlers in his side's thrilling five-run win over Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank Series match on Friday.
Mitchell Starc and Xavier Doherty were the most impressive as Australia successfully defended a modest total of 231 at the WACA Ground to earn their second straight win to start the tri-series, but they overcame a huge scare to do it.
The hosts had been in total control when Sri Lanka were 7-143 with 15 overs remaining and hope for the visitors appeared lost when they needed 36 off the last 17 deliveries with just one wicket in hand, but Angelo Mathews nearly snatched the win.
The all-rounder, who finished with 64 off 76 balls, smashed a four and a six off the first two balls of the final over which led to a situation where Sri Lanka needed just six to win off the final two balls, but Mathews was caught in the deep off the penultimate delivery going for the game-winning shot.
Despite that scare, Clarke said the bowlers - in particular Doherty (2-24 off 10 overs) and Starc (2-50 off 9.5) - had done themselves proud.
"A lot of credit has to go to our bowlers. I thought in the first 45 overs of the game we bowled beautifully," said Clarke, who top-scored for Australia with 57 and also took a wicket with his first delivery.
"We were probably 30 runs short of what we should have scored on that wicket ... and we had to bowl and field very well tonight to restrict a very good batting line-up, so I think they deserve a lot of credit."
Clarke was particularly glowing of Doherty's effort, with the left-arm orthodox spinner the pick of the Australian bowlers.
In Doherty's last seven matches, the Tasmanian boasts 15 wickets at an average of 17 with an economy rate of 4.11, which prompted high praise from the skipper.
"I thought he was outstanding once again," Clarke said.
"He continues to be a very good consistent performer for us. He can bowl in the power play, he's spinning the ball, I think he's an important player for us and he's continuing to do a good job."
Clarke also said 22-year-old paceman Starc, who took 1-11 off five overs in a devastating new ball spell before being punished later on, would benefit greatly from the experience of bowling at the death in a close game.
Australia's next game is against India in Adelaide on Sunday.