Tuesday 10 June 2014 17:13, UK
Sri Lanka vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne does not expect the spin of Moeen Ali to be a threat in the first Test against England at Lord’s.
Moeen is expected to provide England’s main spin option on Thursday and is planning to try out his prototype doosra delivery after learning the basics of the trade from his Worcestershire team-mate Saeed Ajmal.
However, Thirimanne insists the tourists are more concerned about the threat from England’s seamers.
He said: "I don't think the Lord's wicket will turn. It will suit fast bowlers - the majority of records (here) belong to fast bowlers.
"We're good at playing spin, so we just want to concentrate on (how to bat against) pace.
"In English conditions, I think the England attack is the best in the world.
"But at the moment, they have some new fast bowlers - so we have a little bit of a chance, because they are regrouping their side.
"There are still some world-class bowlers, like Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad - so we have to play our best cricket."
Sri Lanka have had limited-overs success in England - 5-0 winners eight years ago and 3-2 this summer – and they are now hoping to claim a first Test series triumph.
"We've won one-day series here, but we want to concentrate on these Tests," added Thirimanne.
"We've won two Tests here; we want to win a series now. This is a very good chance for us to do that.
"We carry good things into this match, confidence levels and motivation. England are a tough side to beat in their own conditions. We are the underdogs.
"We are also a very young side, if you take Kumar (Sangakkara) and Mahela (Jayawardne) out. We have a young captain, and we are also like England a developing side."
Watch Sri Lanka face England at Lord's live from 10.30am this Thursday on Sky Sports 2
