Sri Lanka will be without their "backbone" against England in the third one-day international, but know they must learn to get by in Mahela Jayawardene's absence soon anyway.
Sri Lanka will be without their "backbone" against England in the third one-day international, but know they must learn to get by in Mahela Jayawardene's absence soon anyway.
Jayawardene has not travelled south with his team-mates to the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka Cricket has allowed the veteran batsman to sit out the match, for personal reasons, and has named Ashan Priyanjan as cover.
It seems most likely that Jayawardene's number four role will be filled by Thilina Kandamby.
Whoever takes the field, though, Lahiru Thirimanne - another key middle-order batsman - believes it is an opportunity for Sri Lanka's new guard to prove they are up to the task.
Jayawardene will retire at the end of Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign this winter.
Thirimanne said: "Mahela is normally our backbone - he strengthens our middle order.
"But this is a good challenge for young players, because we have to replace him some day.
"This is a good opportunity for them to show what they are capable of."
Thirimanne does not expect to be promoted up the order on Wednesday, unless changes are made in the event of a rain-shortened match - a likely prospect after more monsoon conditions in Hambantota.
"I think I'll play my normal number six position.
"The length of the game (could change things), so I need to be ready to fit in anywhere."
Sri Lanka, 2-0 up with five to play, must, like England, make sure they are able to deal with universally heightened emotion on the day of Phillip Hughes' funeral.
The former Australia Test batsman died last week, of his injuries after being hit by a bouncer.
Thirimanne said: "It's a really sad day for cricket - of course, we're all very sad about what happened to Phil Hughes.
"But we have to look forward to tomorrow's game, because I think it's a must-win to put us right on course to take the series.
"Confidence levels are really high after the last match."
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