Mathews: There will be a bit of rustiness
Captain Angelo Mathews is eager to negate the negative effects of a dearth of Test cricket, when Sri Lanka's series opener against Pakistan gets underway in Sharjah on Tuesday.
Captain Angelo Mathews is eager to negate the negative effects of a dearth of Test cricket, when Sri Lanka's series opener against Pakistan gets underway in Sharjah on Tuesday.
The Sri Lankans have not played the longest format of the international game since March, against Bangladesh, instead completing a slew of ODI and Twenty20 International series.
"We are playing a Test match after a long time and that's a challenge for us as a team. We've played some four-day cricket, but it's not as good as playing a Test. There will be a bit of rustiness – there might be," said Mathews.
The in-form Saeed Ajmal will likely prove a major threat during the three-match affair, but Mathews is confident a squad sporting the services of the recalled Mahela Jayawardene and former captain Kumar Sangakkara will succeed.
"Ajmal has been talked about a lot in the team and we've made plans about how we are going to play him. There's good experience in the team, if you take Sangakkara, Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene. With that experience we should be able play him well, give him no wickets and make big totals," he added.
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