Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by Pelham Juriansz

"The tour by the Indian 'A' side is a good opportunity to blood youngsters who are knocking on the doors of entry into the first teams from both countries" said the CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), Anura Tennekoon at the press briefing held to welcome the Indian 'A' side at the Board headquarters at Maitland Place on Thursday evening.

"It is always a pleasure to welcome Asian teams because we have so much in common and our cultural and linguistic ties are so strong" added the CEO, who was one time a Sri Lanka captain and a great exponent of the boat in his day and has represented the National team in Gopalan Trophy games and also toured India and elsewhere with the national side known earlier as the All-Ceylon team before Sri Lanka obtained Test status in 1981.

"A number of youngsters who have represented the national side from both teams will benefit much from this tour and I wish both sides the very best and also hope that while they play hard on the field they would be the best of friends off it." concluded Anura Tennekoon in his opening remarks.

The Indian 'A' side is here with Hrishikesh Kanitkar as captain and Rohan Gawaskar son of Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, as vice captain.

The other members of the squad are S. Sriram, A. Chopra, Gautam Ganbhir, P. Mullick, an outstanding player in under 19 skipper to the World Cup in New Zealand Partiv Patel, the first choice wicket-keeper, who is also knocking on the door of the Indian Test team as they are looking for a solid wicket keeper-batsman.

M.S.K. Prasad is the second "keeper in the side and the others from whom good performances are expected are V. Sharma, L. Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Murali Kartik, Sairaj Bahutale (a promising leg spinner) and Amrit Mishra.

Having had a successful outing in South Africa the Indians are looking for a better performance here where pitches are more suited to their type of cricket.

Notable absentees in the Indian squad are Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Mohammed Kaif are tipped to be in the first team one-day squad and the injured Sodhi.

The Sri Lankan 'A' squad is led by Test cricketer T. M. Dilshan and another Test player Michael Vandort will skipper the Development Squad. The 'A' team is a strong outfit with Avishka Gunawardene (another first team player) and Ian Daniel likely to open the batting, followed by the skipper himself, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Naveed Nawaz, Anushka Polonowita, former Thomian schoolboy Jeewan Mendis, Sanjeewa Silva, Malintha Perera (wicket-keeper), Charith Sylvester (the De Mazenod schoolboy who performed well in New Zealand at the World Cup). Experienced fast bowlers Pulasthi Gunaratne, Dulip Liyanage, Akalanka Ganegama, will be supported by a promising spin duo Rangana Herath and M. Pushpakumara. Former Peterite leg spinning all-rounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi will also bolster the spin bowling department and batting.

The others in the squad of 21 are Hasantha Fernando, Indika de Saram (another promising batsman), Sanjay Weerakoon, a reliable spinner and Chamila Gamage.

The Development squad comprises Michael Vandort (Captain), Shantha Kalavitigoda, Sumalka Perera, Tilina Kandambi, Malintha Gajanayake, Praneeth Jayasundara, Nimesh Perera, Rally Tissera, Dhamikka Perera, L. Malinga, T. Mirando, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Dammika Niroshan, M. Suriyapullige, Amila Perera, N. Rupasinghe, C. Komasaru, Ganganath Ratnayake (Royal skipper), and S. Arangala.

The tour itinerary is as follows:

Three day practice game- BCCSL development squad vs Indian 'A' at the R. Premadasa Stadium from May 11-13.

First unofficial Test Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A' at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds from May 16-19.

The second Unofficial Test will be from May 22-25 between Sri Lanka 'A' and India 'A' at Moratuwa Stadium.

May 28-31: - Third Unofficial Test match India 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A' at the NCC grounds in Colombo.

June 3: - First Unofficial Limited over match Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A' at Moratuwa Stadium.

June 4: - Second Unofficial Limited-over match India 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A' at NCC grounds.

June 6: - Third Unofficial Limited-over match Sri Lanka 'A' vs India 'A' at R. Premadasa International Stadium.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager