Lanka may opt for five bowlers

Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal indicated that he may opt for five bowlers going into the first Test against India here at the Eden Gardens. It's a strategy they employed successfully against Pakistan in their 2-0 series win in the UAE recently.

"In Dubai and Abu Dhabi we know the weather. It gets hot that's why we used five bowlers and six batters," he pointed out. "That's the combination we are looking at. You need wickets to win against a good team like India and we need to take 20 wickets. We haven't decided yet (on playing five bowlers). We need to see the pitch first. We will decide  tomorrow  morning (Thursday) who is going to play," he noted.

While they were hammered 3-0 by India in their own den, Chandimal said that their confidence had been boosted by their subsequent series win over Pakistan.

"It was a tough series against them in Sri Lanka. As a team we have learnt a lot and we just need to get the positives out of the last series. As a unit we are much more confident than the last series after winning against Pakistan. The guys are in a good shape and we are looking forward to the series."

Chandimal also confirmed that Angelo Mathews, who is returning after an injury he picked up during the series against India, would bat at No 4 while regretting that he can't use the former captain to bowl a few overs.  

"If he is bowling, it gives us more confidence, but unfortunately with his injury he can't bowl in Test cricket. But looking at his experience, he was unbelievable in 2013-14 so he will put his hand up and do his best in this series. As a batting unit, it gives us confidence when he is around. He is going to bat at No 4. He has got the experience and that is what we are looking at. We think if we send him at top of the order, we can get the maximum out of him," he offered.