'We're eager to start off': Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu has announced that the Sri Lankans are ready for international cricket after a much-needed four-month break. England will play three Tests and an equal number of one-day internationals in a six-week tour which begins later this week.

"The break was very important for us after a long period of competition," said Atapattu. "We all enjoyed the break. Now it's a matter of putting things together. Everybody is very eager to start off. We are all looking forward to the big competition." Sri Lanka have played no international cricket since their tour of the West Indies, which finished in June.

"It [The break] enabled me to get back to family life, and to be with my family who has helped me a lot. They do sacrifice a lot when we are out playing cricket. When you get a break like this, it is important to give 100 percent of your time to them."

Looking forward to the series, Atapattu warned that England would find the Sri Lankans much tougher than the Bangladesh side, who were trounced by England in the Tests and the ODIs. "England is full of confidence having beaten Bangladesh. But I am sure Sri Lanka will be somewhat different. If we put our talents and jobs together I think we stand a chance of beating them.

"England is a young side with a lot enthusiasm. They have done well in the last couple of tournaments. They maybe without experienced campaigners like Darren Gough and Andy Caddick, but James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff and Ricky Clarke seems to have done the job for them in Bangladesh. They will certainly be tested out here."

Injuries to Dilhara Fernando and Prabath Nissanka - two of their fast bowlers - means that a couple of new bowlers will get opportunities. One of them is Nuwan Kulasekara from Galle, a right-arm fast-medium bowler who has impressed many experts in Sri Lanka. "Nuwan seems to impress everybody," said Atapattu. "Our fast bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake was very interested in him. He has the ability to bowl well with the old ball and get a little bit of reverse swing. It's important for a fast bowler to be able to bowl with the old ball. From what I've heard and from what I've seen he has great potential."

Atapattu said that Fernando had been left out to give him a little bit more time to regain his rhythm after changing his action. Fernando has recovered sufficiently from a back strain which had kept him out of action for the last few months. Nissanka underwent a knee operation and is expected to return only in January.

However, Nuwan Zoysa showed an impressive return to form on the recent A tour to Kenya, not only bowling with control but also contributing usefully with the bat. In fact, Zoysa opened the batting in the one-day matches, and went on to pick up three Man-of-the-Match awards.

"Zoysa is vastly experienced," said Atapattu. "He is showing a lot of enthusiasm in his approach. He has lost a few kilos. He has contributed with the bat and he is bowling tremendously in the nets. With Zoysa being among the runs I am sure it will give us more options to make changes in the batting order. It's good to have players who are in form."

Zoysa is likely to share the new ball with Chaminda Vaas. Atapattu also confirmed that Sri Lanka would stick with Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana to open the batting in the ODIs. The pair had opened the batting in the West Indies, where Sri Lanka won the three-match one-day series 2-1.