In the case of both Sri Lanka (three Tests) and Pakistan (four Tests), the long-form fixtures of both men’s worldwide programmes in England this season are due to take place before each of the touring sides takes on their hosts in five one-day internationals and a one-off Twenty20.
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Sangakkara is still showing his class at Surrey while Jayawardene will be in the Sky commentary box having actually joined up with England as a consultant twice during the winter.
But what we should take serious note of is that English wickets are bouncy and pretty fast which means these conditions can leave the young “Lions” dry in the mouth if unprepared.
“For us, as a batting group, it’s about batting long periods and building partnerships and putting on good totals to make sure that our bowlers are in play come the second innings, whether it’s through reverse (swing) or spin”.
“There’s no problem with guys like that working with other countries”, said the all-rounder. But given Ford’s deep experience of cricket in England, and the knowledge of the game in Sri Lanka possessed by the home coaches, Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace, there really will not be much guesswork going on in the coming weeks.
“They have played fantastic cricket for a while now”. The main challenge is going to be the weather.
In truth Mathews should have more to worry about than the elements from a revitalised England out to avenge the nadir of Alastair Cook’s captaincy which came with Sri Lanka’s thrilling famous Test victory at Headingley two years ago.
“We’ve got some fearless players in our side and that can be a plus for us”, Mathews said in his first press conference of the tour on Friday (May 6). But we’re trying to acclimatise as soon as possible.
It has been two years since the Lankans won their historic first away series in England, emerging victorious in the Test series, ODI series and the one T20 match.
“The 2014 series is one moment we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives”, he said. “If we can repeat that once again it will be ideal for us”. Dhawan and his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, said T20 has brought in major changes in cricket as the players are expected to be more quick and agile in the shortest format.
“I think England to win the series, maybe 2-0, which would be a nice starter for what looks likely to be a great series against Pakistan later in the summer”. “It’s going to be a tough challenge”.
Mathews believes administrators would do well not to tinker with tradition however. You always say you’d rather have a young team getting better rather than an old team staying the same.
“When I heard about the points system in the women’s game I wasn’t completely convinced”, she said.
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He added that a slight mental shift in his approach could do him wonders as all of them including the selection committee and himself are backing him up to go out and fire.
