Sri Lanka cricketers look for revenge in India

COLOMBO, Feb 2, 2007 (AFP) - Sri Lanka hope to avenge an embarrassing thrashing by India 15 months ago when they play a four-match series from next week in the build-up to the World Cup.







When Sri Lanka played in India in November, 2005, they were routed 6-1 in the one-dayers and 2-0 in the three-Test series, an experience captain Mahela Jayawardene has not forgotten.

As Sri Lanka left for India on Friday, Jayawardene said the team regarded the short tour as vital since recent performances on Indian soil had been not been very good.

"We've got to beat India in India," Jayawardene told AFP.

"It's been long overdue.

"Last time the end result was a big disappointment for all of us.

But things have changed, personnel have changed, the way we play has changed too and the confidence is back.

"But despite all that India is still a tough place to go and play cricket in.

Although we are not taking our full side, we believe this team can win matches for us."

"I am confident that the players we are taking to India will be able to do the job for us.

"One area this team has done really well in the recent past is to compete well away from home.

We did that in England and