Our fitness not up to standard: Mathews

Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews has blamed fitness issues for his team's disastrous tour of England tour but is hopeful the advantage of home conditions will aid his team in their looming match-up against a tough Australian side.

The Sri Lanka team returned home after losing the Test series 2-0, the five-match ODI series 3-0 (with one tie and one washout) and also conceding the only Twenty20 international in chilly English conditions.

"Fitness was a big issue, as the captain I am disappointed with our battling, bowling and fielding," Mathews told reporters in Colombo.

"We have to improve in all departments."

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However, he thanked loyal local fans for not mocking them for their dismal performance.

"From the officials at the airport (in Colombo) to others we met on the way, they have been very supportive at a time when we are down," he said.

"This support means a lot to us."

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Asked about preparations for the home series against Australia which begins on July 26 in Kandy, Mathews said he wanted to address fitness issues plaguing the young team which saw five bowlers suffer injuries during the England tour. Mathews himself was injured.

He could not say how long the team would require to fully recover from the void created by the retirements of legends such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena.

"It will take a bit of time. I have been saying that for the past few months as well," Mathews said.

"But we are doing the right things at the moment. We are not winning games, but we are seeing improvements day by day."

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His comments came as the Australian players touched down in Sri Lanka, where they are due to play three Tests, five ODI matches and two T20 games.

Mathews said the Australian team was "tough", but he hoped home advantage in sultry conditions would help local players.

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"It (the series) is in our home conditions, but we have to prepare well and prepare for a tough challenge, and to overcome the tough Australia side we have to play our best cricket," he said.

But he warned against raising expectations too high, noting that Australia had done well in Sri Lanka during their 2011 tour when they won the Tests 1-0 and also claimed victory in the ODI series 3-2.