``South Africa has gained experience during the last few days having taken part in Tests and other matches in England'', said Arjuna.
Arjuna also said: ``It is the officials of Trent Bridge grounds in Nottingham where this match will be played who will prepare the wicket for this match. If they provide a green top wicket it will assist the fast bowlers and South Africa will have a slight edge over us. They have at least four fast bowlers but we are ready for it.''
However the Sri Lanka - England - South Africa triangular tournament will be a closely contested one said the Sri Lanka Captain.
The next match of this tournament will be played at Lords on the 16th between Sri Lanka and England.
Sanath Jayasuriya's index finger of his left hand was injured by a fast delivery by Inglesdon in the match against Kent last Tuesday and his chances of playing in the game on Friday are 50-50. He is now under treatment. It will be decided whether he will play or not by Thursday evening or Friday morning, according to Sri Lanka Team Manager Ranjith Fernando.
In this same match a fast ball by Headley struck the top right-arm of Kaluwitharana and when he returned to the pavilion after being out the physiotherapist of the Sri Lanka team Alex Kontouri applied ice to it for 15 minutes. Kaluwitharana told me that his arm is injured.
As Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga says the Sri Lanka eleven for Friday's game will be: - Jayasuriya, Kaluwitharana, Atapattu, Aravinda, Arjuna, Mahela or Hashan, Haturusinghe, Dharmasena, Muralidaran, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Suresh Perera or Mario Villavarayan.