Atapattu contends that if Jayawardena can open, Sri Lanka will be able to play an extra spinner in the team.

"Mahela has been a regular middle order batsman but if we want we can use him to open the batting. We also have Dimuth Karunaratne as regular opener and depending on the conditions we can decide if Mahela is to open or bat in the middle order. This means that we also have the option of playing an extra spinner who can also bat in the middle order", said Atapattu.