Sri Lankan captain, Sanath Jayasuriya, looked a confident man before leaving to Sharjah for the tri-nation tournament with Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the desert city from October 26.
Speaking at Dilmah team sponsorship launch, Jayasuriya claimed: "The confidence is really high as our one day form has been excellent. We have played well at home and particularly in Sharjah in the last few outings."
The Sri Lankans won the last two tournaments in Sharjah by thumping margins. Earlier this year, they convincingly beat Pakistan in the final and this time last year they crushed India. Jayasuriya, though, is taking nothing for granted.
"There's no guarantee that we can win this tournament," he said. "There's lot of responsibility on the batsmen and bowlers."
Safety concerns in the wake of military action in Afganistan have dominated discussions in cricket boards throughout the world in recent weeks, but Jayasuriya is not voicing fears about a tour to the Middle East.
"We are not very concerned about that," he said. "The Cricket Board has been in touch with CBFS and they are confident that everything is ok, so we don't have any problems in going there."
Sri Lanka travel to Sharjah without all-rounder Suresh Perera, a key member of the team that defeated India and New Zealand in the Coca-Cola Cup in July, as his bowling actions is still be reviewed after he was reported by umpire Steve Bucknor.
"It's a big blow," admitted the captain. "Unfortunately he's having a problem with his action. It'll be rectified very soon I hope and he can be quickly brought back into the side."
However, Sri Lanka have the option of playing Dulip Liyanage who bowls medium pace and can chip in with the bat like Perera.
"Yes, we've the option of playing Dulip (Liyanage) in the position where Suresh (Perera) used to bat," he said.
The Sri Lankans have got two youngsters in their side. Prabath Nissanka and Charitha Fernando. Both choices caused some surprise, but that of Matara born Nissanka has created the greatest excitement.
"Prabath (Nissanka) is having a very good future," predicts Jayasuriya. "He was troubled by injuries but now he's alright he can bowl really fast. Charitha (Fernando) can bowl quick as well and he's got the ability to chip in with the bat, which gives him an extra advantage."
In the last tournament Sri Lanka went with the six batsmen policy with all-rounders Kumar Dharmasena and Suresh Perera batting in the middle order. Perera's unavailability creates problems for the balance of the side.
Asked as to what changes would be made, Jayasuriya said: "It depends on the situation. There are quite a few bowlers who can chip in with the bat. But anyway it's too early to comment on the composition of the side. We have to go there and see. We have got to take into account the opposition, the conditions and lots of other stuff."
Jayasuriya, though, hinted at Kaluwitharana retaining the gloves in Sharjah: "We have been playing with Kalu for the last few matches and he has been performing well in the shorter version of the game, so we might settle with him again in Sharjah."
Speaking for the first time since the World Cup draw, he acknowledged that Sri Lanka had been rewarded for their recent good form with a favourable draw, but warned: "We can't be confident because we are in a group that gives us some advantage. To win an international cricket matches you need to play really hard right from the start on that day. We are not thinking at the group right now but considering about getting the right formula for the World Cup."
The team departs Sri Lanka on Sunday for the tournament that starts on October 26 and ends on November 4.
© CricInfo
| Teams | Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe. |
| Players/Umpires | Sanath Jayasuriya, Suresh Perera, Charitha Buddika, Dulip Liyanage, Romesh Kaluwitharana. |
| Tournaments | Champions Trophy |
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