Jayasuriya - 'We have to play our natural game'

Jayasuriya - remaining positive after the 149-run defeat in the first Test at Darwin © Getty Images

Sanath Jayasuriya is positive about Sri Lanka's chances of success in the second Test at Cairns, despite the belief that the pitch will be hard and grassy - tailor-made conditions for Australia's fast bowlers.

"It looks a good wicket and we have to be more positive," said Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's former captain. "There's nothing to worry about the wicket as long as we do our own thing and we just go out and bat. We're quite used to it and we have to play our natural game."

After Sri Lanka were dismissed for 96 and 162 on the way to a 149-run defeat in the first Test at Darwin, Jayasuriya believes the team's problem is its inability to put together big partnerships. "What we lack right now are good partnerships, the players have realised what went wrong in the last game and that we need strong partnerships."

Jayasuriya also played down talk of Australia's fast bowling trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz launching a short-pitched attack at the Sri Lankans. McGrath, who has dismissed Jayasuriya five times in the five Tests they have played against each other, has said that he will be targeting Jayasuriya in particular.

"We don't have to worry about those things. That's part of the game," he said. "Glenn has been bowling well for the last game and he bowled in the right areas. I'm not worried about if he wants to go after a batsman. That's his way of thinking. I go and play my natural game."

Meanwhile Kasprowicz, who took 7 for 39 in the first Test, is relishing the chance to play on the Cairns pitch. "A bit of bounce will be nice," he said. "Last year it had a bit of bounce in it [against Bangladesh] and if you've got good consistent bounce and you're hitting the deck hard you do get something out of it.

"It's pretty similar to the Gabba wicket. It's got a good hard crust underneath it, there's a little bit of grass there, and it will be important to bowl a touch fuller, but certainly part of our game plan is to hit the deck hard," added Kasprowicz. "The Sri Lankans are used to the wickets playing lower and our bowlers are taller than theirs, so if there is going to be some bounce, then we're going to find it."