Sri Lanka eyeing key changes

Captain Angelo Mathews was disappointed by his team's performance in the field as England reduced the series deficit to 2-1 in Hambantota on Wednesday.

But for match four of seven in this one-day international series, at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, key batsman Mahela Jayawardene is available again after missing the midweek fixture for personal reasons.

Mathews expects the hosts to be back to their best against opponents who will be missing their regular captain Alastair Cook - for an over-rate infringement in the south - and led instead by Eoin Morgan.

Sri Lanka have updated their squad for the next two matches and, as well as Jaywardene, they have unearthed other options in young chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan and fit-again seamer Suranga Lakmal.

"We haven't panicked," said Mathews. " It was just one game, but we didn't bowl or field well. That was our downfall in Hambantota.

"The bowlers don't suddenly become bad bowlers. They've done the job for us in the first couple of games as well, so we need to have faith in them."

The return to the Premadasa may well accentuate home advantage, and Mathews added: "The wicket looks dry. We might have to think about playing another spinner.

"We've added Lakshan Sandakan, who is a mystery bowler - a left-arm chinaman."

The uncapped 23-year-old is more likely an opponent England will have to be wary of in the longer term - if not here, then perhaps in their World Cup group next year.

Mathews said: "He's one of our options for the World Cup. No one has seen him yet, and he looks a very good prospect for Sri Lanka. He's got so many variations of his own.

"He lands it in the right spot - his accuracy is quite good for his age. We're not afraid to give him the opportunity."

Sri Lanka, it seems, may well be planning to unleash Sandakan on an unsuspecting world soon.

Their captain said: "We will wait for the right time - and that could be the last moment. He looks like a brilliant prospect."

Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign seems likely to be boosted after all by the return of their best bowler, Lasith Malinga.

England have been spared his brilliant pace variations here b ut after heel surgery, Malinga was spotted with his team-mates in the nets on Saturday, and is apparently on course to be fit for the global tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

"He's been training quite hard in the gym, and also doing a bit of running," said Mathews. " He started bowling recently, so that's good for all of us.

"He's the best 'death' bowler in the world. It'll be nice to have him as soon as possible."

Before then, the hosts must find a way of stopping England's danger men - among them Jos Buttler, whose rapid unbeaten half-century was so telling on Wednesday.

Mathews has witnessed more than once at first hand Buttler's ability to unleash a rush of unstoppable boundaries.

"He is a very dangerous player," he added. "He's very difficult to bowl to, at the end especially, with his paddle sweeps, reverse sweeps - all that.

"He's got everything. We need to get rid of him as soon as possible when he comes in to bat, because he can change the game very quickly."