Dimuth Karunaratne insists Sri Lanka are fully prepared despite a lack of action as they look to get their World Cup back on track against Australia at the Oval.
The inclement weather which has led to four washouts in the space of seven days has hit Sri Lanka hardest, with two of their matches abandoned.
Since they last took to the field against Afghanistan on June 4 in a rain-affected encounter, Australia have played three times but Karunaratne is convinced the lack of game time will not be a hindrance.
Indeed, on what is usually optional training the day before the match, their full squad participated.
“We can’t control the weather,” Karunaratne said at his pre-match press conference. “We couldn’t play those two matches, but we are prepared for the Australian game, and today we have a practice.
“Normally today is an optional day, but we want to train harder before we play against the Australians, so that’s why we are here.”
The Sri Lanka captain is braced for a barrage of short balls from Australia, adding: “I think we know they are going to go really hard against us.
“Some players, they can play really good for the short balls. Some of them, they can’t. But if they think they can go for it, I will say to the players ‘yeah, go for it’, because we need runs, as well.”
Karunaratne confirmed veteran paceman Lasith Malinga will be available after returning briefly to Sri Lanka for his mother-in-law’s funeral while fellow fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep could come into contention if he successfully passes some fielding drills.
