Sri Lanka batsman Upul Tharanga believes his side can still claim victory in the Royal London ODI series, provided their batting can stack up a defendable total.
Tharanga, who has hit scores of 53 not out and 40 in matches at Edgbaston and Bristol, said he was relishing his new role down the batting order at Number 7 or 8 and believed Sri Lanka would be competitve if they can score more runs.
He said: "I came for the one-day tournament and, as a team, I think we are in really good shape. Even though we lost the game, I think our batsmen are doing really well – we only need a big score. The last few games, everyone got 40, 50. That's why we are getting 250-260.
"As a batting unit we need someone in the top four to get a big score. If we can get that we can get 300. The bowlers are going a good job, the wickets are good for batting. We someone to get a big score."
Despite spending the majority of his career opening the batting, Tharanga admitted he was enjoying a change of outlook, finishing the Sri Lankan innings off with a flourish in the final 10 overs.
"I've done it before, for 10-15 games, in Australia and Sri Lanka. So it is not something new to me," he said before the fourth match of the series, at The Kia Oval.
"Most of my career I have batted as a top-order batsman but it is good, I am enjoying it. It is up to the management, what they need from me. At the moment, they need me to bat in the middle order, so I'm happy to help the team. Lots of players are new players, so we have to give them experience and advice also."
"If I bat from the 30th over, I think I can play my normal game. If I go in for the last few overs, obviously I have to change my game. In the nets I'm trying different things," he said.
Tharanga wants to continue to thrive, so long as he makes the final XI. He admitted he was hugely enjoying being back in the side, competing for his country once again after a period away from the Sri Lankan set-up.
He added: "As a cricketer, I always want to play for my country. In the last few years, I am in and out of the team. So I am happy to be here. The last domestic season, I did well, so that's why I got the opportunity - even batting six-seven. So I'm happy to do something for my country."
Tharanga and his Sri Lankan teammates face England at The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff on Saturday. A limited number of tickets are still available, secure your seats by clicking here.