Speaking to Cricinfo.com ahead of ahead of the team's departure from Colombo, he has said, "I think we've got a bowling group that's grown into a useful attack... They've all experienced success in English conditions. I'm quietly confident that they'll be able to work together and create pressure in English conditions."

"I hope they've improved because they've played a lot of Test cricket since my first stint. I did feel that when I was here previously, quite a lot of them were learning the art of fast bowling. Some of them were still fairly raw. They've now played a lot more cricket, and I'm sure they're more streetwise."

"Some of the quicks have had good success in England - they know the kind of lengths they've got to bowl," Ford said. "It is going to be crucial that they find the right length on each particular surface when we get into the Test matches. Those lengths might vary slightly. It'll be about assessing very quickly what's the right length. I think they're much more mature as cricketers."

Ford said the greatest challenge lay with Sri Lanka's relatively young batting group, which has repeatedly faltered in the past year. There was a 2-0 victory against West Indies at home in October, but Sri Lanka lost the other four Test series they played last year. On each of those occasions, the batting had been the weaker of Sri Lanka's disciplines.

"In our batting group, having lost a couple of senior players, there are some new young guys who have come in," Ford said. "They've worked extremely hard in the last few weeks. We've been fortunate enough in Colombo to train on some pitches that are similar to what we're likely to get in England. That's been pleasing to see how those younger players have been adapting to those conditions. Of course it's going to be a huge mental challenge for them, because it is going to be about grinding out big hundreds. A lot of that comes from having done it and experience."

(excerpts from Cricinfo)