Coach Ford is our biggest weapon - Mathews

The Sri Lankan Test squad have touched down on South African soil and their first destination is Potchefstroom, where they face a South African Invitation side in a three-day warm-up clash, starting on Saturday.

The first Test in Port Elizabeth only starts on 26 December, leaving captain Angelo Mathews and his men an important two-week ‘acclimatisation’ period in South Africa, notorious for the traditionally fast and bouncy tracks.

Speaking on the team’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport shortly before the onward journey to Potchefstroom, captain Angelo Mathews conceded that, as with all sub-continental teams visiting these shores, adapting to the conditions remained a major challenge.

The young Sri Lankan side are coached by former Proteas mentor Graham Ford, who coached the South Africans between 1999 and 2003.

Mathews maintains that Ford’s familiarity with local conditions could prove to be big plus for them on this tour.

Only three players in the current Sri Lankan outfit, including skipper Mathews, have toured South Africa before.

“There is no better person than Fordy. He has got so much experience coaching various teams in different conditions and we are certainly looking forward to picking his brains about what it will take to succeed in these conditions,” said Mathews.

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“The Proteas have a very good, experienced team. We have to be on top of our game all the time and stick to the basics.”

“They (Proteas) are playing really good cricket and know their local conditions well. It is going to be an exceptionally challenging tour.”

Sri Lanka Squad:

Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath.