Clarke in high spirits

Michael Clarke leads Australia to victory over India with eight overs to spare © Getty Images

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Australia batsman Michael Clarke believes his side can use their crushing victory over India in their Twenty20 match as a springboard for success in the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Series.

The 26-year-old covered as captain for the injured Ricky Ponting as the Baggy Greens saw off India by nine wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

The tourists were bowled out for a measly 74 - the second lowest total in international Twenty20 history - and Clarke, with the help of Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hodge, led Australia to their target inside 12 overs.

Clarke reckons the win provides the perfect lead in to the 50-over series between Australia, India and Sri Lanka, which begins on Sunday at the Gabba in Brisbane.

"I think we'll take a lot of momentum and certainly confidence into the one-day series. I think that was our goal going into the game," Clarke said.

"We wanted to perform as well as we possibly could, win the match and take some confidence into what's going to be a fantastic one-day series."

Clarke, who will continue to take charge of the side should Ponting not recover from his back injury, is a big fan of the 50-over format and is looking forward to the opportunity to show it can rival Twenty20 for excitement.

Mahela Jayawardene thinks sledging is still a major part of the game © Getty Images

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He said: "I really hope one-day cricket stays because I think it's a different game.

"I know our team enjoys playing both forms so hopefully there's enough room for all three forms of the game."

Sri Lanka warm up for the series by taking on Tasmania at the Bellerive Oval on Saturday.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene does not believe the troubled Test series between the other two teams will lessen the intensity on the pitch.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh was originally found guilty of racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds but saw the decision overturned on appeal.

Harbhajan pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after admitting he abused Symonds, while the all-rounder's on-field behaviour was also criticised by judge John Hansen.

Jayawardene, though, believes sledging still has a place in the game.

"I think it should be part of the game, that's why cricket has been there for some time and that's why some teams have been on top of some other teams - because they have been mentally tougher, much stronger," he said.

"If it becomes a bit too personal then I think the first thing would be to try and sort it out between yourselves, have a chat to the guys and say 'you know you're going too far'."

Sri Lanka make their tournament debut against India in Brisbane on Tuesday.