Dyson, in his first trip to the island since his appointment, said he welcomed his first stint at coaching at the top level of the sport, after a career as a player with the Australian Test side and coaching at the state level in New South Wales.

"The first team to really extend Australia would do world cricket a favour," the 49-year-old told a news conference.

"Australia are going to fight to maintain their position at the top. It's everybody else's challenge and job to knock them off their perch. That's the challenge that faces these guys."

Dyson takes up his post on September 1, following a tumultuous period for Sri Lankan cricket since former coach Dav Whatmore and physiotherapist Alex Kontouri were let go after the Sharjah Cup.

Dyson said Sri Lanka's biggest strength was "the aggressive style of cricket that they're perceived to play," but said the team needed to work on the consistency of its performance.

Sri Lanka's Test and one-day sides have had a mixed record over the past year.

The one-day side won a June series in the West Indies, redeeming itself after failing to qualify for the finals in a triangular series on home soil against New Zealand and Pakistan.

The Test side has seen a string of losses, most recently against the West Indies and New Zealand.

Dyson, who has a degree in physical education, said one of his first priorities would be to develop individualised training schedules for the players.

"I think it's important at this level that players do receive individual attention on most aspects of their game," he said.

The former right-hand batsman will face his first challenge when England tour the island in November.