Monday 9 June 2014 12:37, UK
Kumar Sangakkara says Sri Lanka are delighted they are not facing the “amazing” Kevin Pietersen this summer.
The first Test with England begins at Lord’s on Thursday, but the hosts will begin a new era under new head coach without Pietersen.
He was jettisoned by the ECB after England’s dismal Ashes series in Australia where they lost 5-0.
His attitude and shot-selection cited as reasons for “moving on” without him, despite Pietersen being England's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, and the team's top-scorer in Australia.
But Sri Lanka batsman Sangakkara says it takes all types of characters to make a successful side.
"I don't know the reasons for KP's exclusion but the fact remains that he's an amazing player," he told Wisden EXTRA.
"I've watched him, admired him and he is undoubtedly an out-and-out match-winner. Of course, as an opposition player I'm not disappointed he's not around.
"We know what damage he could have done to us, and the damage he has done to us before.”
The 36-year-old left-hander says Sri Lanka have always valued individuality, with fast bowler Lasith Malinga a case in point.
"For us, it's been like that with Lasith. He is very different in the way he looks, and as a person,” he said.
"Not everyone gets on well with each other in a team. There are certain people you might not have dinner with, but that doesn't take away from the fact they will be valuable players in a national cause, going out trying to win matches.
"Without going into details, we've had our own issues and difficulties over the years inside the dressing-room and outside it.
"We've dealt with that very well as a side, and having 11 similar players is definitely not a positive thing.”
Watch the whole of England's series with Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports 2, starting on Thursday morning at 10am.
