With the outfield still wet, Sri Lanka [Images] were reluctant to play on the fourth day of the rain-marred first Test against hosts India at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Monday.

Addressing the post-match conference, Sri Lankan vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene [Images] said, "We were reluctant to play in the morning when we came to the ground as some portion of the outfield was still damp. But after the umpires made the inspection at 1000 hrs and again at 1330 hrs and reassured us, we agreed to play,'' he said.

Jayawardene said his team had adapted well to the conditions of the wicket here as they were exposed to similar conditions in the warm-up match at Bangalore.

Asked about the early breakthroughs medium pacer Chaminda Vaas [Images] got for the Lankans who took the field losing the toss, Jayawardene said Vaas knew the pitches in the sub-continent very well.

"He made good use of that knowledge," he observed.

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The stylish right-handed batsman disagreed when asked if the team was under prepared and lacking in bowling strength.
"It was good to have some play at last after being confined to our hotel for three days", he said.

Jayawardene said the first task of the team was to get India out.

"If there is time left on the final day we would also like to have some batting before the second game at New Delhi,'' he said.

- UNI