Ricky Ponting will never forget his first Test victory as captain.

As the song goes, there's always something there to remind him.

Shane Warne reaching 500 wickets in Test cricket.

Darren Lehmann's emotional century - a tribute to the late David Hookes.

Damien Martyn's first century in more two years to repay the unwavering faith Ponting had shown him.

Matthew Hayden equalling the world record for catches in a match.

And last, but by no means least, the fact he led Australia to one of its most gritty, backs-to-the-wall fight backs.

Australia won by 197 runs after bowling out Sri Lanka for 154 midway through the final day after setting the home side 352 for victory at Galle International Stadium.

Steve Waugh's first Test, also in Sri Lanka five years ago, ended with Waugh and Jason Gillespie in hospital with a broken nose and broken leg respectively after a nasty outfield collision.

And this game too threatened to give Ponting a figurative poke in the eye as Australia slipped up badly on the first two days. But Ponting showed he can write Waugh-esque scripts as he lifted his team from the doldrums to deliver a win which will go a long way towards giving Australia a chance to win his first series and reverse the 1999 loss suffered by Waugh's team.

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