England would find it difficult adjusting quickly to the dry, turning surfaces in Sri Lanka after a pace dominated tour of South Africa and head coach Mickey Arthur says, his young Lankan side will be looking to exploit that in the two-match Test series, beginning March 19 in Galle. 

Arthur is quietly confident of his team's chances against the three lions, who had pulled off a historic 3-0 Test series whitewash the last they were there in the Island nation. 

Sri Lanka is desperate for points in the World Test Championship having drawn the home series versus New Zealand and lost badly in Pakistan late last year. 

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"It’s very hot here in Colombo right now and with a two-Test series you can’t ease yourself in, you have got to hit the first Test running," Arthur told Observer. "England can expect some tough cricket."

“England have come from South Africa where pace dominated but this will be different. The games will move slower until days four and five, where spin will dominate. It will be a war of attrition and a compelling series to watch."

Arthur then talked up uncapped leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, backing him to deliver the goods in a three-pronged spin attack that will also be featuring Dilruwan Perera and Lasith Embuldeniya. 

"This guy is something very, very special," he said. "He has got all the tricks, including a top-spinner and googly out the back of the hand I can’t pick. He is a proper batsman too, he made 44 off 34 in a T20I the other night [against West Indies in the first T20I], and a gun fielder."

“I would put him in the 10 most valuable cricketers in the world right now and yet people don’t know him. He really is a hidden gem. Remember the name, because he is the man," the coach added. 

The coach also believes England will feel the absence of Moeen Ali, the leading wicket-taker of the last trip, who, along with spin mates Jack Leach and Adil Rashid, had played a massive role in three lions' success. 

"I do think Moeen is a big loss for England – finger spin plays a big role and he’s a quality cricketer," Arthur said. "But I watched them in South Africa and they have gelled into a good side. Joe Root has asserted himself and developed a style. But they will be tested in different ways here and it will be interesting to see how they adapt."

(Inputs from ICC)