Jayawardene wants first series win on Indian soil

Visakhapatnam, Feb 16 (UNI) Sri Lankan Captain Mahela Jayawardane wants to achieve what none of his predecessors could --- winning an ODI series in Indian soil.

The Lankan skipper is just one win away from realising this long dream and winning the decisive fourth ODI here tomorrow against India is uppermost in his mind.

Addressing a pre-match conference here today, Jayawardene said, ''Though the World Cup is in our mind, presently we want to win here tomorrow, which will mean a series win in Indian soil''.

''This is uppermost on our minds now,'' he said, adding that he might effect some changes in the team that lost to India by five wickets in Goa.

A victory tomorrow is all the more important as Lankans would want to hold a psychological edge when they meet India in the first stage of the World Cup.

About the World Cup, the skipper said, ''We cannot give too much emphasis on the Cup now. It is in our minds. The Cup is a different tournament altogether. We will be playing India in the first round itself. However, on neutral venue, the atmosphere will be different''.

Coach Tom Moody said he was happy with the team for the Cup.

''We will adjust to the situation in the first stage and in the super league and there on,'' the coach said.

About absence of Sachin for tomorrow's match, Moody said, ''He is a fine player. There are ten others in the team. Whoever replaces him, I hope the team will stand up to him''.

UNI