Australian left-hander Travis Birt is tipping Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga to give England almost as many problems as spin maestro Muttiah Muralitharan in the upcoming three-Test series.
Birt had the upper hand on both Malinga and Muralitharan as he hammered the tourists for a quick-fire 83 for Derbyshire on the second day of their three-day match on Sunday, helping the county rack up a second innings total of 208 for four.
But he had gone cheaply to Malinga in the first innings and admitted: "He's a difficult character to deal with.
"No-one has seen a lot of him, and he could surprise a lot of batsmen first up," the Australian said.
Birt did not pay much respect to Muralitharan, taking two fours and a six from the first three balls he faced from the spinner, but he still expects him to give England serious problems.
England are due to play three Tests, starting at Lords next week, and five one day internationals against Sri Lanka.
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