They may have imposed a handicap on themselves, but Sri Lanka fully expect to beat Bangladesh again and clinch a 2-0 series victory when the second Test begins at the SSC in Colombo. Sri Lanka will include only Sanath Jayasuriya, their captain, and Hashan Tillekeratne of their regular line-up, after thrashing Bangladesh by an innings inside three days in the first Test. Aravinda de Silva must be the first man since Geoff Boycott in 1967 to be left out after scoring a double-hundred.

"We will look for a win while trying new players," Jayasuriya said. "I expect the younger players to make the most of the opportunities, especially Naveed Nawaz, who has shown good promise."

Nawaz is one of three expected debutants, along with left-handed batsman Jehan Mubarak and pace bowler Chamila Gamage. In the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana will lead the spin attack.

Whoever they play, Bangladesh will surely be trounced again. Eight of their 12 Tests have ended in innings defeats, including their last five. That is likely to become nine out of 13.

Thirteen is an apposite number. This will be the thirteenth Test Sri Lanka have played without Murali since his debut in 1992. They've won none of the previous 12 - but new territory is about to be explored.

Sri Lanka (from)
Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Hashan Tillekaratne, Michael Vandort, Jehan Mubarak, Naveed Nawaz, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Chandana, Charitha Buddhika, Sujeeva De Silva, Prasanna Jayawardena, Chamila Gamage, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Hasantha Fernando, Chamara Silva.

Bangladesh (from)
Khaled Mashud (capt), Habibul Bashar, Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Al Sahariar, Ehsanul Haque, Hannan Sarkar, Mohamed Ashraful, Fahim Muntasir, Enamul Haque, Monjural Islam, Alamgir Kabir, Talha Jubair, Tushar Imran, Tarek Aziz Khan.

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