Following his overwhelming success as an opener in the series-winning third One-Day International against Pakistan at Dambulla last Monday, Sri Lanka’s team management is contemplating of pushing ex-captain Mahela Jayawardene to number three in One-Day Internationals instead of his customary number four position while captain Kumar Sangakkara demotes himself to number four.

Chairman of Cricket Selectors Ashantha de Mel confirmed the move.

"With many shots in his repertoire, a player like Mahela is suited to make most of the field restrictions when the Power Plays are on. We are thinking of the move in a long time basis and we’ll see how it goes," de Mel told ‘Sunday Island’ yesterday.

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya will return to the side for today’s game after missing the third and fourth ODIs and will open batting with Upul Tharanga while either Thilina Kandamby or Thilan Samaraweera from the middle-order will have to make room with Jayawardene dropping down to number three.

Sri Lanka will also leave out pace bowlers Lasith Malinga, who conceded 79 runs including a whooping 26 wides as they lost the last game by a massive 146 runs. Thilan Thushara, who played all three Test Matches and the first four ODIs will get a well earned break as Nuwan Kulasekara and Dammika Prasad, who was drafted into the squad for the injured Dilhara Fernando, will get a game.

Sri Lanka have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Muttaiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana and Upul Tharanga.