India series a chance for fringe players - Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya has said the five-match ODI series in India would help Sri Lanka to try out their fringe players before the World Cup. The series was confirmed by the BCCI and SLC the day West Indies players decided to pull out of their tour to India.

"This is an ideal opportunity for some of the bowlers who have been around to grab their chance by performing against a top team like India," Jayasuriya said. "These players have been in the system for some time and thrown into the deep end we can see how they cope with the pressures."

Three of Sri Lanka's seam bowlers have been recuperating from injuries. Lasith Malinga is recovering from surgery on his ankle, Suranga Lakmal has just begun rehabilitation work after a stress fracture to his ankle sustained during the South Africa series in July and Thisara Perera is recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during the Champions League T20 last month, when he represented Kings XI Punjab.

"Malinga has already begun rehabilitation work, and with 16 weeks left for the World Cup, we are hopeful he will be fit. Perera is not training at present," Jayasuriya said.

Jayasuriya added the series would also benefit batsmen like Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella, who have been performing well for Sri Lanka A in the ongoing unofficial Test series at home against West Indies A.

"It is high time these batsmen took on the responsibilities and performed without leaving everything to the experienced players," he said. "At the moment apart from the players involved in the Sri Lanka A series with West Indies A, the rest of the players are undergoing physical training. They will need at least 5-6 strenuous batting sessions to be prepared for the Indian series."

However, a tweet from Kumar Sangakkara suggested that the sudden decision to hold the tour may not have gone down well with some players. "Our 6 weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a months requirement of skill work before India. Planning ahead anyone?" Sangakkara tweeted.

Sri Lanka finished their last international series in August, against Pakistan at home, and did not have any international cricket till mid-November when England are due to play seven ODIs.

Our 6 weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a months requirement of skill work before India. Planning ahead anyone?

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) October 18, 2014