We are keen to avoid batting meltdown in remaining matches

After last Wednesday's narrow loss to South Africa, today's match against West Indies is crucial.

We need to quickly recover our momentum and must produce a far more robust batting performance.

We know that the West Indies are going to be desperate to win after successive defeats and we are going to have to play some smart cricket.

In reality, the one-wicket margin of defeat flattered us against South Africa.

Only the heroics of Lasith Malinga, who bowled a brilliant spell full of fire and passion, brought us close to an improbable victory.

It would have been one of the greatest escapes in World Cup history. However, Malinga's astonishing spell has not allowed us to brush over our batting mistakes.

Our final total of 209 was below par. The pitch was by no means a road but we still need, and should have secured, at least another 25 runs. A target of 235-245 would have been really tough given the conditions and the make-up of our bowling attack.

We came close to a winning target but fell just short and only had ourselves to blame. The top order was culpable at the start. Upul got perhaps the best ball from Makhaya Ntini while Sanath, Sanga and I were defeated by the two-paced nature of the pitch.

Nevertheless, the top four have to take responsibility for leaving the lower order with too much to do. Losing Chamara, a star performer in recent weeks, to a run out was also a real blow.

Brilliant partnership

Despite this poor start, though, Dilshan and Russel pulled us right back into the contest with a brilliant partnership. When we started the final five overs we had a great chance of reaching 230 plus.

The collapse that followed was sloppy in the extreme and inexcusable. We could have strolled to 225 by just knocking the ball around but instead self-destructed.

The key thing about losing is that one learns from mistakes.

We have since analysed that game and are clear about what went wrong.

We must make sure that we finish our innings better and guard against a similar meltdown in the coming matches. With all the teams so closely matched, games can be won or lost in just a few overs.

Although naturally disappointing to have lost, there were positives to take from the game, Lasith's spell being the most obvious.

I just told Mali to give it everything and enjoy his final two overs. We knew he was our last chance.

To produce such a fiery and skilful burst when all seemed lost is a testament to his character.

Lasith will always give you 110 per cent. You might assume that all bowlers will do the same. But as captain you know that is not necessarily the case. While some characters wilt after expensive first spells, Lasith is eager to bowl at all times. South Africa dented his figures early but he had the mental fortitude to push that to one side during that breathtaking finale.