India v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Chennai

We have a couple of great young prospects - Atapattu

Dileep Premachandran at Chennai

December 1, 2005

With all eyes on team India and a certain former captain, the Sri Lankan press conference ahead of the first Test was a muted affair. Tom Moody was seen having a quiet chat with Greg Chappell during the unveiling of the cut-crystal trophy, and both he and Marvan Atapattu appeared quietly focussed on the task ahead - how to change Sri Lanka's record of six losses - all by an innings - and no wins in 11 matches on Indian soil.

It's been so long since we played a Test here, but we know that playing India in India is a big test. It won't be an easy task. © Getty Images

Marvan Atapattu

On the likely playing XI

We have a few options. But we'll have a look at the conditions tomorrow morning before we finalise the team.

On how much Jayasuriya would be missed

He's been a great cricketer for Sri Lanka. But it's a decision that the selectors have made. We have a couple of great young prospects, and time will tell how effective they can be at this level.

On whether they might go with five bowlers

I heard that this pitch was prepared for the one-day game against South Africa. It looks quite dry, and will certainly be a factor when it comes to choosing our final eleven.

On so many in the squad having little or no experience of Indian conditions

It's been so long since we played a Test here, but we know that playing India in India is a big test. It won't be an easy task.

Tom Moody

On how different the stadium and the conditions seemed after having played here during the Reliance World Cup in 1987

Well, 1987 was a long time ago. It's a great ground to play cricket, and I have some fond memories of the place. The wicket looks good, and we should have a great game.

On bouncing back from the 6-1 drubbing in the ODIs

It's Test-match cricket now. We've had a nice break, a period of time away from the game. The players were given a [fitness] programme to work on, and we then got together to prepare for the Tests. We put the white balls away and got the red ones in. We're more familiar with the Kookaburra balls used back home, so we had to adapt to the one used here.

Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo

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