It's all about timing

Key numbers jotted down during a joint press conference given by Mahela Jayawardene and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Colombo on Monday.

30 minutes: The delay (the captains were on time but a minister was late)

1 minute: Before the standard "It's great for the youngsters to seize the opportunity" line was mentioned. By both captains.

9 mins: Before the first Dhoni wisecrack. Asked whether the lack of recent international cricket would affect the team, he said: "It depends on the result of the first match. If we win, people will say we were fresh, if we lose, we were rusty!"

12 mins: Before the first tricky question (and evasive answer). After Dhoni said Sri Lankan wickets could behave strangely, a local reporter asked, "Don't the Indian wickets behave funnily?" Jayawardene said, "I haven't played in India for a while now".

13 mins: Before Ajantha Mendis' name was brought up by a reporter. Dhoni's reply: "No special plans. We played him pretty well the last time we came here. It's just up to the individuals to pick him from his hand."

17 mins: Before Jayawardene's poor form was questioned. "Obviously I am trying hard. It's not easy that you have so many games coming at you all the time. It's about just working hard at the nets and I am doing that."

Finally, 10 seconds: before those assembled dispersed, after the press conference ended, to the drinks counter.