Jayasuriya reckons opportunity knocks

Chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya has all but insisted Sri Lanka’s squad perform well, come November’s five-ODI series in India.

Sri Lanka Cricket, earlier this week, agreed to travel to India for five ODIs after the West Indies abandoned the tour due to a pay structure dispute between the West Indies Players Association and West Indies Cricket Board.

“This is an ideal opportunity for some of the bowlers who have been around to grab their chance by performing against a top team like India. These players have been in the system for some time and thrown into the deep end we can see how they cope with the pressures,” said Jayasuriya.

The Sri Lankans will likely send a full-strength squad, including the services of the veteran Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who will be key during next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“Our six weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a month’s requirement of skill work before India. Planning ahead anyone?” tweeted Sangakkara.

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