We have got a fearless set of players: Angelo Mathews

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews has backed his young side to put up a good show in England in the Test series that commences on Friday (May 19). He is particularly impressed with Kusal Mendis, who is tipped to bat at No.3 and allrounder Dasun Shanaka, who first burst onto the international scene as a lower order big-hitter.

Both of them impressed in the warm-up games, with Kusal striking two half-centuries in three innings and Dasun scoring a century. The allrounder's seam bowling abilities are an added advantage.

"Dasun Shanaka was a standout for me, and so was Kusal Mendis," Angelo Mathews said. "They are both still very young. Their first tour to England, and it's never easy, but they've showed a lot of character in the first two practice games. We've got lots of new players, but also 7 or 8 who were there in the 2014 tour. We've got a fearless set of players who are willing to take the English on."

Mathews also admitted that coping with the cold weather will be his side's biggest challenge in the series. Even though the temperatures were quite normal during the warm-up games, the forecast for the first Test won't please the visitors as it is expected to be very cold with rain expected to make an appearance during the weekend.

"We all know that you can't get comfortable in England straightaway," Mathews said. "You've got to work your way through, so experience also counts. We've got so many guys who are touring England for the first time with the national team."But no matter how long you spend in the cold you can never get used to it. We've had a few good days in Essex and also in Leicester, where the sun was out. Hopefully, the nice weather will come back to us. Whether it's the cold weather or the sunny weather, we do have to take on the challenge. The weather will be our main challenge."

The 28-year-old was disappointed with Dhammika Prasad's injury that has ruled the team's premier fast bowler out of the first Test but is hopeful of his availability for the second. "Prasad's injury is a setback for us," Mathews said. "He's our premier fast bowler. He's performed well against England here at the same venue. He'll be a big loss. Hopefully, he can be ready and fit for the second Test."Mathews went on to praise England's head coach Trevor Bayliss, who worked with Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2011 and their assistant coach Paul Farbrace who was Bayliss' assistant during his Sri Lankan stint as well. Farbrace also went on to become Lanka's head coach for a couple of months in 2014. "Those coaches have played a massive part in my career," Mathews said. "Trevor was the first coach of my international career. He didn't fiddle with my batting or bowling abilities too much. He just wanted me to go and express myself, play with a lot of freedom. Farby was the same. They are great human beings and great coaches, whom I really enjoy working with. We've seen the impact that they've had in the past 12 months with England."