'England can expect harder cricket': Dyson

John Dyson, the new coach of the Sri Lankan team, has suggested that England can expect a much tougher challenge from the Sri Lankans than they did on their recent tour of Bangladesh. England, who comfortably won two Tests and three one-day internationals in Bangladesh, will commence the Sri Lankan tour with the three-match ODI series, which starts on November 18.

"England are a very good side, a very professional unit. They've improved remarkably in the last six months. But I think they will get much harder cricket here in Sri Lanka," said Dyson. "Michael Vaughan said a couple of weeks ago that it's been a good warm up for them in Bangladesh, but he expects more difficult cricket in Sri Lanka. I am confident that's what they'll get."

Dyson said that Sri Lanka had been preparing for this series for a very long time. "After a long break from cricket the team is physically fit and looking very good. They finished the West Indies tour in June and they've prepared very hard for this series. They are physically, skill-wise and mentally ready for it. They are ready to go out and test everything they've prepared themselves for. Now's the time to get on the park and play the game."

Dyson also commented that the Premier Trophy tournament - Sri Lanka's domestic three-day competition in which all the top players played - had been the ideal preparation before a tough series. "I think the Premier trophy tournament has given the players the competition they need to play against England. The tournament's got some very good cricket in it. There are possibly things which Sri Lanka Cricket can look at in relation to the tournament, but I am pleased with what the guys have done. Their attitude, the way they have approached their cricket and, the way they have approached their practice, they have been very professional.

"I think we have all departments covered. We have good players in all departments and great players in a few. Given that they take their form into the middle, I am very confident that we are going to perform very well."

Dyson made special mention of the threat Muttiah Muralitharan would hold for England's batsmen. "If a team's got a player like Murali, probably the best ever, everybody knows that in tight situations you've got a world-class player like him to look up to. That situation hasn't changed. Just because England played him well the last time, it doesn't mean they are going to play him well this time. We've got to see what sort of form they are in and, take it from there."

Dyson was also keen to ensure that sporting pitches were prepared for the series. "The wicket needs to provide everybody within the team with a chance if they play well enough to get good results. I have been fortunate enough to meet all the curators and tell them exactly what I've just said."