SL captain Kumar Sangakkara has urged his batsmen to show more consistency as they prepare for the first match of the Tri-series.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has urged his batsmen to show more consistency as they prepare for the first match of the Tri-series, against New Zealand in Colombo.

Following convincing victories in the two-Test series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka have suffered a complete reversal in fortunes - losing both the Twenty20 internationals against the Black Caps.

Sri Lanka fell short by three runs in the second Twenty20 yet had needed less than a run a ball for much of the game, following a blistering half-century from opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"We have to get our batting unit to fire consistently, and that's something we have been working on," said Sangakkara.

"It hasn't been working for us - and I think our bowlers, by their splendid performances, have bailed us out quite a few times.

"We have a lot of things to work on, going into the one-day series.

"We have to start somewhere, and the first one-dayer in the Tri-series is the place."

One of Sri Lanka's problems has been the lack of runs from veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya.

But Sangakkara believes Jayasuriya, picked for the Champions Trophy in South Africa, can still prove a valuable asset in building a team for the 2011 World Cup.

"It's always a concern when a batsman is out of form," the captain acknowledges.

"But we all know what he can do and what he has done.

"We have to give him every opportunity to get back in there and score runs.

"We have got to build the side up and we have got to get a good solid core around which younger players can come into the team and help build the best side we can towards winning the World Cup next year."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has fewer questions to answer.

"The back-to-back wins in the Twenty20 matches is an indication of things to come," he said.

"I think every player put up a performance at some stage and they will be happy and take a lot of confidence from that into the one-dayers.

"Making it to the final will be a great stepping stone for the Champions Trophy."

Vettori believes the return of fast bowler Shane Bond - back from a stint with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League - has added another dimension to the team.

"Our bowling at the death has been particularly impressive, and Shane showed how well he is coming along," he said.

"It's great for him to start the way he has, and I think he'll get better and better.

"I've been impressed with the roles he's performed - taking the new ball and then coming back at the death.

"He looks confident - and when Shane's confident he's a really good bowler."

India, the other team involved in the Tri-series, are not due to arrive in Sri Lanka until Wednesday - the eve of their first match against New Zealand.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side must play matches on successive days, but coach Gary Kirsten believes the series will be ideal preparation for the Champions Trophy.

"The one-day team has virtually an 80% win ratio in the last eight months," he said.

"We take pride in our consistency and we would like to continue that.

"The team spirit and unity is good as it has ever been and everyone is feeling quite fresh mentally."