The three-match Test series between Sri Lanka and England begins on Tuesday in Galle.
Sri Lanka have not lost a series on home soil to England since 2001. Here is a look at the five players they will look to for inspiration to maintain that run over the next month.
The second Test is In Kandy from November 14 and the third Test is in Colombo from November 23.
Dinesh Chandimal
Is the calming influence in the team, not just as the Test captain but as an established batsman and with the respect he commands now as one of the senior members in the squad. He is looked up to as the man who can take Sri Lanka to the next level.
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Angelo Mathews
Has something to prove when umpires call play. Stripped from the captaincy and dropped from the one-day international squad because of fitness issues, the veteran of 75 Tests, 203 ODI’s and 72 T20I’s now gets the opportunity and will be determined that he still warrants a place in the side as a Test player.
Dimuth Karunaratne
He is established as a Test opener and appears to be in the form of his life, having hit an unbeaten 158 and three half-centuries in the two-Test series with South Africa in the summer. The left hander will be a crucial factor at the top of the order as Sri Lanka look to get the runs to put England under pressure.
Dilruwan Perera
At 36, the off-spinner brings in the experience as a Test player. He took 16 wickets in the two Tests against South Africa, including 10 in Galle. A useful batsman, he is expected to take over as Sri Lanka’s main spin attack, at least for the England series, when Rangana Herath steps down after the first Test.
Kusal Mendis
One knock stands out in his budding Test career. The 23-year-old left hander smashed 176 against Australia in the second innings to win the first Test in only his seventh match in the format in July 2016 in Pallekelle. He plays as a batsman and is a wicketkeeper in the series, but he will hope for better form with the bat after struggling against South Africa.
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