Dav Whatmore delighted but focused on England

Sri Lanka's cricketers have barely just returned home after winning the Asian Test Championship (ATC) but coach Dav Whatmore is not allowing his players to wallow in glory. His sights are firmly set on the forthcoming tour to England and preparations are back in full swing.

"There was a fantastic feeling in the dressing room afterwards, especially after being hammered in the inaugural championship in 1999, and it was a tremendous performance, but now we want to keep that going," said Whatmore.

"We now have three weeks to prepare before a triangular in Sharjah - which is also an important steeping stone for the 2003 World Cup - and then the tour of England."

According to Whatmore, there is plenty of work to be done: "We have to get used to the extra swing and need to practice hard with the Reader balls used in England.

"Generally speaking, we need to focus on the mindsets of the players, preparing them fully for what they are about to experience, both on and off the field.

"For example, they need to get used to the higher media exposure there will be there, and the greater crowd noise in the stadiums there during the Test matches. They have to trust themselves and blot out those exterior influences."

But success in the ATC final at Lahore, their ninth straight win, means that the team will travel to England with confidence and Whatmore senses a stronger mental approach to the game.

"We seem to be in a grove at the moment," says Whatmore. "Every match someone is producing a top performance and were becoming a little bit tougher as a team. The growing self-belief is evident."

Indeed, Whatmore rates their efforts in Pakistan highly. "I think that was our best performance of our recent run, because the game was played overseas, against Pakistan with their strong fast bowling attack and on a well grassed wicket."

Whatmore was especially impressed with Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 230, the second highest score ever by a wicket-keeper.

"He kept-wicket for the first 67 overs and then was out in the middle straight away after Marvan (Atapattu) was dismissed," he said. "It was an incredible performance and easily his best innings yet. He played shots all-round the wicket, off both back and front foot, was solid in defense and especially good when leaving the ball.

"He showed just how well he is progressing as a player. His fitness is second to none in the side after a lot of strength and running work and that, in turn, has helped him improve his concentration."

"The batsmen played good supporting roles. Sanath (Jayasuriya) grafted hard and responsibly for his runs, Mahela (Jaywardene) played a classy little innings, Russel (Arnold) was positive and Chaminda (Vaas) also chipped."

Vaas also played a crucial role with the ball, taking five wickets in the game, including the crucial wicket of Inzamann-ul-Haq for 99 on the final day with the second new ball.

"There had been the fear in the back of our minds that the weather might rob us of victory, but on the fifth day the skies were clear and Chaminda once again displayed his wicket taking ability. He swung the ball, was accurate and got his reward.

"Generally speaking I was happy with the bowling, although Chaminda and Buddhika (Fernando) did bowl too many no balls. Murali bowled beautifully and there were a lot of wicket taking balls from the seamers.

"Perhaps we gave them too many runs in the first innings after asking then to bat, but it was a fast scoring ground and the pitch may have been well-grassed but it was also dry underneath, giving the batsman plenty of opportunity to score runs."