Jayawardene talks up T20

The Sri Lanka captain and his team failed to reach the last four of the inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa in 2007 as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India went on to claim the title, which they are set to defend in England from June 5 to 21.

The growth of Twenty20 cricket, which has seen the advent of the Indian Premier League since the last contest, leads Jayawardene to believe the teams in England will be all the more competitive despite the conditions.

“We have learnt how to approach this game, so it will be much tougher this time,” said Jayawardene.

“Not every team knew how to approach the game in South Africa.

“But playing some Twenty20 cricket over the last two years has given us more experience. We have seen different tactics and how different people approach the game.

“Teams have scored 180 to 200 in a Twenty20 game, but it will not be easy in England as even 120 or 130 might be a winning total in those conditions.”

Far from agreeing with those who knock the newest innovation to the game, Jayawardene insists the format is benefiting world cricket.

“The batsmen need to be more innovative and bowlers have to find different options,” he added.

“I think the skill has improved after Twenty20 cricket. It is more aggressive. Big totals are being chased in one-dayers because batsmen have found different ways of scoring.

“It is a different challenge and cricketers like to challenge themselves differently.”

Jayawardene and his team are set to arrive in Karachi on Saturday, meanwhile, as they prepare for two Tests against Pakistan.

The first Test gets under way from February 21 with the second Test starting in Lahore from March 1.

The Karachi Test will be Pakistan’s first since December 2007 after heightened political tension prompted Australia and India to withdraw from their scheduled tours of the region.

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