SL banking on youngsters to bounce back

Sri Lanka begin this ODI series with memories of a first-ever Test loss against Bangladesh fresh in their minds; a loss that prompted a local newspaper to mourn the death of Sri Lanka cricket, Ashes style. They also start this series without their regular captain Angelo Mathews and their most lethal limited-overs bowler Lasith Malinga, both out with injuries.

So it will not be an understatement to say that currently, the Sri Lanka cricket team is one backed into a corner and eager to redress the balance that their opponents disturbed with their Test win at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

"We were bitterly disappointed to lose the last Test match. This is a new series and it's a good opportunity for us to come back strongly," said stand-in skipper Upul Tharanga yesterday. "Even the last series we played, we were beaten by South Africa 5-0. This is an opportunity for us to bounce back."

He said that he would miss the two seniors, but put the onus on the next generation to come good. "They are two of our senior-most players. There are lot of younger guys who have emerged. In the last two series, guys like Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne came up and did a decent job. We are going to miss the seniors no doubt, but it's an opportunity for some of the other guys in the squad to perform."

However, Dickwella is also out of the first ODI as he is serving out a suspension he picked up in Australia. Kusal Perera, who played well against Bangladesh in the warm-up game on Wednesday, is out with a hamstring strain picked up in that match and will be replaced by Milinda Siriwardena.

“We knew that Niroshan is out of the first game. He has done well and has been consistent for us in South Africa and Australia. Kusal was amongst the runs before he had the injury. But this is a good opportunity for some of the younger guys in the squad."

Even with these setbacks, Tharanga sounded out a fighting tone. "We are well prepared. There are some new players who are in the squad and some seniors have returned like Seekkuge Prasanna and Thisara Perera. After the last Test match, we were down and we are determined to put up a good show."