www.skysports.com: Mahela Jayawardene believes Sri Lanka can offer a strong challenge to England this summer if they can hit the ground running.

Jayawardene - who will be joining Sky Sports’ BAFTA-winning cricket team to cover the three Tests in England - has retired from international cricket since Sri Lanka’s 1-0 Test series victory in England in 2014.

Another former skipper, Kumar Sangakkara, has also stepped down since, but Jayawardene remains confident Sri Lanka can spring a few surprises on Alastair Cook’s side, despite an inexperienced team struggling against Essex in their opening warm-up match of the tour.

“They are getting acclimatised but at the same time they have a very young team, especially the batting group, so they need a bit of time out there in the middle,” Jayawardene told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I wish they could have batted for a couple of days to get a bit of confidence but a couple of the youngsters - Kusal Mendis and Suranga Lakmal - did perform, which is encouraging for them.

“The bowling unit is pretty much the same as the one two years ago that beat England, so they have the experience in that department.

“Sri Lanka have always competed really well when they have toured England. It is something unique for a Sri Lanka team to tour England and we have always challenged here.

“My heart says they will do the same thing [as 2014] but England are a far superior team, not just in experience but in how they have played for the last few years.

“It is going to be a daunting task for the Sri Lankan boys but if they get into a good rhythm and start the series well, we should see some exciting cricket.”

Jayawardene feels captain Angelo Mathews must set the tone for his inexperienced side and picked out a few key players for English fans to keep an eye out for.

“Mathews had a great time last time when we were here and he is going to be the main pillar in the set-up,” added Jayawardene, who was employed by England as a bating consultant during their tour of India.

“There are some youngsters who should perform well, like Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dimuth Karunaratne, in the batting group.

“The young fast bowling attack is led by Dhammika Prassad, who is an experienced campaigner, so it gives them that experience.

“But Dushmantha Chameera has done really well in the last 12 months in one-day cricket and in Test cricket.

“He is an exciting prospect for us who bowls 145-150 kph, so he could be the surprise package this summer if he gets his line and length right.”

Although he will not be representing his country this summer, Jayawardene is looking forward to playing for Somerset as well as becoming part of the Sky Sports Cricket team.

“It should be a very good summer. It will give me a chance to watch some great cricket and at the same time be with the Sky Sports team,” he said.

“Playing for Somerset, it is a different county for me. So I am looking forward to that opportunity. We have got Chris Gayle as well as the other overseas player, so it is exciting times.”

Sri Lanka trail by 116 as Essex amass 412

The visiting Sri Lanka team was trailing by 116 runs with 8 wickets remaining to save an innings defeat  from Essex.

At the end of the second day of the three-day match at Chelmsford, Sri Lanka was 42 for 2. Earlier on Essex scored 412 for 4 before declaring after 100 overs. This was in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 254 all out on day one. 

For Essex, opener J.C. Mickleburgh scored a century before being out LBW for 109 by Dhammika Prasad. T. Westley was the second centurion with 108 of 157 balls. R. Bopara played a cameo innings of 87 not out off 127 balls whilst D.W. Lawrence scored 57 of 53 balls as Lankan bowlers toiled.

Prasad took 75 for 2 before being injured whilst Nuwan Pradeep and Shaminda Eranga took a wicket each. Spinner Malinda Siriwardana conceded 118 runs without taking wicket in his 19 overs. 

In the second innings, Kuahsal Silva failed for the second time with a score of only 7 and just before close of play Kusal Mendis was out for 16. D. Karunaratne was unbeaten 16.

School boy debutant for Essex Aaron Beard who took four wickets in Sri Lanka’s first innings, followed up with a wicket in the second innings as well.