Reinstated skipper Mahela Jayawardene says Sri Lanka can overcome a week of turmoil and do what India couldn't - challenge Australia on home soil.
The World Cup runners-up arrive in Canberra today ahead of tomorrow's match with the PM's XI at Manuka Oval still stinging from a less-than-perfect start to its one-day international tour, losing to a Victorian 2nd XI by 23 runs in Melbourne yesterday.
Sri Lanka was rocked last week when Tillakaratne Dilshan stepped down as captain after just nine months in the job, coach Geoff Marsh following him out the door two days later.
Jayawardene led his country from 2004 until 2009 and is doing his best to separate the off-field dramas from the task at hand.
''Things are happening which nobody can control and we'll just concentrate on playing cricket,'' he said.
''We will definitely fight for everything, we need to win.
''A lot of things happened in the space of one week.
''Sri Lanka have gone through these kinds of things before.''
South African Graham Ford takes over in charge of a 15-man squad containing Sri Lanka's past three captains.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Kumar Sangakkara replaced Jayawardene and guided his country to last year's World Cup final.
But after falling at the last hurdle to India, the elegant strokeplayer handed over the reins to Dilshan, who subsequently resigned in the wake of defeats in both Tests and one-day internationals in all four series he was in charge.
A poisoned chalice indeed, but one Jayawardene is happy to hold.
Former captain Arjuna Ranatunga last week blasted the re-appointment of the 34-year-old, believing he wasn't the right man to turn around successive series losses to England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa.
''It is like changing the pillow to fix a headache,'' Ranatunga said.
''Mahela is not getting younger and I am surprised he accepted it again.
''We have to groom young people for the captaincy.
''Sri Lanka cricket is in a major mess.''
Nevertheless, Jayawardene believes he has enough talent at his disposal to give the Australian cricket public what they crave - a contest.
India's woeful 4-0 capitulation in the much-hyped Test series has put the pressure on Sri Lanka to go toe-to-toe with Michael Clarke's men.
There's also pressure on axed Australian gloveman Brad Haddin, who has been dropped in favour of Victoria's Matthew Wade for the first three one-day games.
Jayawardene said the PM's XI match would be vital for Haddin as the Queanbeyan product looks to win his place back.
''Each and every game is going to be important game for him,'' he said.
''People go through these type of periods but he's a quality player and will come back stronger.''
Jayawardene said Sri Lanka planned to field a strong side against the PM's XI, while keeping some players up its sleeve ahead of its opening one-day international against India at the WACA Ground on Wednesday.
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