Mathews confident of SL success in tri-nation series

Thursday, 27 June 2013 00:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said that his side would look to extend their Champions Trophy form into the tri-nation series against India and West Indies. “We have played some really good cricket in the ICC Champions Trophy, beating England and Australia to reach the semi-final and so the confidence is pretty high,” Mathews told the Gleaner after the side’s arrival in Kingston, Jamaica. “West Indies and India are two very good teams in the shorter format of the game and I think that we really need to play some really good cricket to win against them.”

Sri Lanka lost to India by eight wickets in the semi-final and finished second in their group behind England. India beat England by five runs to win the Champions Trophy, while West Indies finished third in Group B, missing out on a spot in the last four after a tied match against South Africa. Sri Lanka play the first match of the series against West Indies at the Sabina Park on 28 June and Mathews admitted that the hosts would be tough to beat, given their familiarity with home conditions and their strength in limited overs cricket. Mathews also said that the absence of Tillakaratne Dilshan, ruled out due to a calf injury, gives youngsters in the side a chance to perform.