Mathews backs Sri Lankan bowling attack

Cape Town - Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews has backed his inexperienced bowling squad to do well in South Africa.

The Sri Lankans have boosted their bowling attack by calling up uncapped fast bowler Vikum Sanjaya into their squad, which sees the team heading to South Africa with a five-man pace attack.

The tourists turned to legendary Pakistani paceman Wasim Akram to mentor their local fast bowlers in preparation for the tour.

The islanders travel with an inexperienced squad, with only three players having toured South Africa before.

Mathews feels that their pace attack can do a job in South Africa but they will need to put runs on the board to stay in the game.

"It's just the bounce and the conditions that we need to get used to... we have got a fairly decent pace attack which can put them under pressure, but we need to score runs as a batting unit."

Mathews is hoping to assist his frontline bowling attack, despite coming off an injury, telling ESPNCricinfo: "I am hoping to bowl quite a lot in South Africa.

"If I can bowl a lot more the way I did in the recent few years I can offer a lot to my team. I look to try and contribute whatever way I can. Sometimes it’s not easy you might have to bowl longer spells more than usual. Injuries can occur any time but I don’t think it’s because I bowl."

The first Test against South Africa gets under way in Port Elizabeth on December 26.

Sri Lanka Test squad:

Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera.

Proteas Test squad:

TBA