The Sri Lankan national cricket team will left for England today morning to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Addressing reporters in Colombo prior to their departure, Graham Ford, head coach of Sri Lanka said preparing for the tournament was one of the biggest challenges.

Meanwhile former Sri Lanka pacer Chaminda Vaas in an interview held in India stated that "I am 100 per cent sure Virat will do well in Champions Trophy. He has showed the courage and confidence as captain before and now as well". He further added that "I think (the reason for Indian fast bowlers doing well) No. 1 is fitness. They have been maintaining their fitness level. They are strong and bowl quickly. They are consistent too. They are learning from games and the people coaching them (in IPL). They are able to get everything and put into the game. It is one of the best fast bowling group in the world. India will produce more fast bowlers, thanks to the IPL," he said.

However, Vaas, is confident that Lasith Malinga will come well in the Champions Trophy for Sri Lanka as Malinga is expected to join the team before the warm-up games.

Angelo Mathews assured that the team had been improving and that are aware that there is no room for "hiccups”. The squad is led by Mathews and completed a week-long training session in Kandy prior to the tour. The Sri Lankan team is first to arrive in UK for the tournament and they will conduct an eight day training camp in Kent before playing two warm-up games against Scotland. 

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in England and Wales between 1 and 18 June 2017. Sri Lanka will be facing South Africa for the first battle at The Oval on 3rd June.