Sri Lanka Preview: First Taste Of Mendis

England v Sri Lanka, Champions Trophy, Group B, Johannesburg, 13:30

If Ajantha Mendis has his customary say in proceedings, adjusting to altitude may be the least of England's problems when they take on Sri Lanka in Jo'burg tomorrow.

The mystery spinner's already powerful mystique has been enhanced on these shores due to the fact that none of his 55 international appearances have been against England. That will change tomorrow, and although yesterday's evidence suggests the pitch will offer more encouragement to the seamers, England's first encounter with the apparent heir to Murali's throne is significant. Besides, Mendis appears to be from the school of spinners who show scant regard for pitch conditions.

None of England's batsmen have encountered his mix of offbreaks, legbreaks, googlies, flippers and top-spinners - England's small IPL contingent even managed to avoid his Kolkata Knight Riders exploits. He doesn't turn the ball miles - he doesn't have to; his exceptional variety has been enough to account for 71 wickets in 34 ODIs - a wicket every 22 deliveries (including a haul of 6-13 against India). There'll be many more.

The answers to the questions he poses, it seems, are to play with a straight bat, get the front leg out of the way, and, most importantly, to read what's coming out of his hand - learn to pick his wrist movements. Easier typed than done. An additional question for England is have they the time to do their homework? Almost certainly not, unless we can put the failure of the past few weeks down to them ignoring the NatWest series challenge in order to prepare for this.

No, Laptop Mendis analysis must have been inadequately jigsawed in around travel, acclimatisation and the small matter of considering the host of other threats posed by the likes of Lasith Malinga. As a result, it's vital that Strauss, Denly and the chosen number three get England off to a positive start so that the struggling middle order don't have to push the run-rate - on top of merely trying to survive Mendis' spell. One of the few plusses of the recent ODI implosion has been the promise shown by that new opening partnership - tomorrow their role takes on extra significance.