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Despite having a dream run in the last few months and savouring back to back victories in tests and one dayers Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene expects a tough competition and a huge challenge from his opponents South Africa and India when the Unitec cup triangular series begins tomorrow.

Speaking at the customary press briefing last evening Jayawardene said, “We have played very good cricket in the recent past but that does not mean that we start off as favourites in this triangular tournament. We are facing two very good teams. I feel it is going to be very tough and competitive and another challenge to our team”

Coach Tom Moody who has been instrumental in slowly but surely transforming Sri Lanka’s fortunes with a relatively new team is eager to use the triangular to further improve the team. “We have grown as a team in the last six months, but there is further room for improvement. We need to improve every aspect of the game and I will be eager to ensure that we can do that in this triangular as well as in the next six months”, said the former Australian test cricketer.

Sri Lanka will kick off the seven match triangular when they meet South Africa under floodlights at the Premadasa Stadium tomorrow. Regular captain Marvan Atapattu is not expected to play in the early games but is very likely to be a part of the team as the tournament progresses. Speaking on Atapattus return Jayawardene said, “Hopefully Marvan should be back in the team soon. He plays a big part in our one day line –up. However we will not rush him into the side”.

Wicket Keeper batsman Mark Boucher will lead a depleted South African team in the absence of four of their regular players including their captain and vice captain. Coach Mickey Arthur admitted that his team will miss his regulars but was expecting the replacements to fill in the voids. “We will be missing the four players, but I think it is another opportunity for the fringe players to put their hands up and perform”.

The only silver lining for the visiting South African team which lost the two tests to Sri Lanka earlier was the recoveries of their injured players. Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher have recovered well and will be playing tomorrow while pace bowler Makhaya Ntini is still uncertain to play and according to coach Arthur has a 50-50 chance of making it for tomorrows opening game against the host nation.

India on the other hand have been playing very good one day cricket in the recent past and are eager to continue in the same vein. Skipper Rahul Dravid admitted saying, “We have enjoyed quite a bit of success in one dayers since we last came here with the exception of the West Indies tour. However we feel Sri Lanka and South Africa are both very tough opponents and it is going to be a big challenge for us”.

Dravid was jubilant over the return of star batsman Sachin Tendulkar. “Sachin is a very important member in our team. He is a world class cricketer. His presence on and off the field and what he brings with him is very important for our team”.

Coach Greg Chappel who has been experimenting with players after he took over as coach is expecting to continue in a similar manner. “We have worked out a few strategies in the past and are stronger than what we were. We now expect to put the finishing touches to all that before the ICC Champions trophy”.