Jayawardene aims to break winning drought

Sri Lanka have never won a series against the Australians at home but Mahela Jayawardene believes the time is right over the next couple of weeks. Jayawardene, the former captain, is hopeful of success in the three ODIs next month as the hosts deal with a busy schedule that includes preparing for the Ashes.

"We've improved quite a bit in the last couple of years and our away form is pretty good, that's something we've always been trying to improve," Jayawardene said in Brisbane. "It's a great opportunity for us.

"It's going to be a bit tough for Australia, with a bit of a hectic schedule. Some of them will be fresh and some of them won't be fresh but Australia is Australia."

While Sri Lanka warm-up for the main games, which start with a Twenty20 international in Perth on October 31, their opponents are still in India finishing off a 50-over series. Kumar Sangakkara's men play Queensland at the Gabba today before facing New South Wales on Sunday and Wednesday.

Australia have never lost a series in their backyard to Sri Lanka in Tests or ODIs since their opening encounter in 1984-85.