Sri Lanka's bowlers can surprise England by causing problems on seaming pitches, according to coach Chaminda Vaas.
In the past, Sri Lankan seam and swing bowlers have struggled to make an impact in unfamiliar conditions, while their spinners are less effective than they are in Asia.
But Vaas, one of the finest bowlers Sri Lanka have produced, believes all that is about to change. He said: “Some of the guys who could play for us in Tests, like Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep, have a lot of potential and they will develop during this tour.
“We have been working on things like accuracy, good line and length. The results are there for everyone to see. Suranga and Shaminda both bowl at reasonable pace. They need to bowl in that range constantly and their variation will help them.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have handed a consultancy role to Chris Adams, the former Sussex captain and Surrey coach, for their tour of England.
The defection of Paul Farbrace to become Peter Moores’s England No2 has left Sri Lanka short of experience of cricket in England.
The tour is due to begin next Tuesday with the first of two 50-overs matches against Ireland in Dublin and conclude with two Tests against England in June.
