Malinga heads into tomorrow's one-day international series opener against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground having dominated the Big Bash League with his potent mix of speed, swing and deceptive slower balls.
While Australia will have some insight into Malinga's tricks from his Melbourne Stars team-mates Glenn Maxwell and David Hussey - one of Australia's few batsmen with significant international experience - Jayawardene said knowing what Malinga can bowl wasn't the same as playing it.
"I saw what Huss has [said about Malinga] - he's got people thinking, that's good," the Sri Lanka captain said of his strike weapon today.
"It's good to know that people are thinking about it, obviously, and they'll probably expect those deliveries to come at them as well. So it's good, but they have to handle it, not me."
But Jayawardene said, even if Malinga had a rare off day, Sri Lanka had other bowling danger men, particularly in the spin department.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis, who has 96 wickets at 20.75 from 59 ODIs and once took 6-16 against Australia in a Twenty20 match, is another.
"We've got a few other guys who have got that X-factor in our line-up," Jayawardene said. "So as long as one or the other clicks and gets the job done for us on the day, it makes really good sense."
On the flipside, Sri Lanka are expected to target Australia's part-time spinners Maxwell and Hussey, who will need to combine for 10 overs.
Recent ODI rule changes mean no more than four fielders are allowed outside the circle at any stage, which will make it easier for batsmen to go after them.
"Especially with the new format with the field restrictions and all that, that's something that we'll definitely look into," Jayawardene said.
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