SRI LANKA EYE WORLD CUP PREPARATION IN INDIA

Skipper Angelo Mathews has his reservations regarding the hastily arranged fivematch ODI series against India, as do his charges and coaching staff. But the team will seize the opportunity to try its bench strength in preparation for next year’s World Cup.

The tour came as a surprise to the Lankan cricketers who had been through a rigorous strength and fitness preparation for nearly six weeks and were yet to begin their skills training ahead of November’s home series against England. Still, Sri Lanka agreed to honour an Indian request to fill the void left by the West Indies pulling out.

“We’re not 100% with our preparation. We see this as an opportunity to settle our combinations, because the World Cup is what is really important,” Mathews said at a press conference, on the eve of team’s departure on Tuesday.

The selectors got three openers for the series with Upul Tharanga joining Kusal Janith and TM Dilshan . The absence of the experienced bowling duo of Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath has given young guns to prove their worth at the toughest stage.

Slinger Malinga was not considered for selection as he was recovering from an ankle surgery while leg spinner Herath was rested for the greater interest of the team’s future.

“The opening slot is something we’ll definitely look at. That’s why we’re taking three openers on this tour. We need to look at Upul and Kusal. There are a few young players, so we will give them opportunities,” Mathews added.

In their absence Suraj Randiv, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lahiru Gamage and Chathuranga de Silva have all got the opportunity to make a World Cup case but it remains to be seen how they will grab the opportunity without proper preparation.

“We’re missing our two best bowlers in Rangana and Lasith, but it’s a good opportunity to see what the others can do. Not just for the bowlers but the batsmen as well – it’s a chance for a lot of them to nail down a permanent place in the team.” said coach Marvan Atapattu.

However, the team will not push too hard to win the series as they are aware of the bigger challenge ahead and will strategically plan its World Cup campaign.

“To put huge pressure on ourselves to win is not that wise, at this stage. We know that if everyone is fit, that our World Cup team will be different. So with that in mind, we’ll be thinking about who can be a part of the team going forward, and what individual players can get out of it,” said Atapattu.

Atapattu is heading the coaching staff for the first time since being appointed full-time head coach for a two-year term.

“We have about 20 matches between now and the World Cup. That’s about the number of ODI games some teams play in a year. The challenges to peak at the right time. Because we have 20 matches to go, we shouldn’t become too concerned just yet.”

Sri Lanka will being their tour with the first match on Sunday in Cuttack.