Sri Lanka 'A' will get much exposure on twin tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: The Sri Lanka 'A' cricket team will gain much needed exposure as they embarked on twin tours on Thursday to South Africa and Zimbabwe to play in a series of matches from June 21 to July 22nd against their counterparts.

The team will take on an Invitation XI today (Sunday) in Durban.

With the ongoing Pakistan tour and the then the arrival of the Indians in early July for a ODI series and a full tour to Australia later in the year.

There will be three Tests and a triangular cricket series featuring host Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka on the card.

The tour looks an ideal one for the fringe players like skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Roshen Silva, Kanishka Alvitigala and Angelo Perera who are knocking hard at the door to establish themselves.

Angelo Perera cracked a fine 85 and 90 against England in a warm up match last March and another good performance during the tour should give the selectors some food for thought. Left-handed opener Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the side which consists of five Test players - Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, fast bowlers Dammika Prasad and Kosala Kulasekera and wicket keeper Kaushal Silva.

The Sri Lankans will first meet a Dolphin Invitation XI in a three day warm up game and two four-day unofficial Tests against South Africa 'A' side.

Then the Sri Lanakns will move to adjoining Zimbabwe with the South Africans to feature in a Triangular limited-over series.

The tour itinerary: June 21, Thursday - Arrive in Durban, June 24 to 26 three day-game vs Dolphin Invitation XI. 30 June to July 3rd first four-day game, July 6 to 9 second four-day game.

July 11th Sri Lanka 'A' and South Africa 'A' leave to Zimbabwe for limited overs triangular series.

July 13 - South Africa 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A', July 14 - Zimbabwe 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A', July 15 - Zimbabwe 'A' vs South Africa 'A', July 16 - Rest day, July 17 - South Africa 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A', July 18 - Zimbabwe vs South Africa 'A', July 19 - Zimbabwe 'A' vs Sri Lanka 'A', July 20 - Rest Day, July 21 - Final July 22 - Teams depart from Zimbabwe.

The tour party: Dimuth Karunarante (Captain), Chamara Silva, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Kusal Janith Perera, Sachitra Serasinghe, Angelo Perera, Kosala Kulasekera, Kanishka Alvitigala, Nilanka Premaratne, Dammika Prasad, Dilruwan Perera, Tharanga Lakshita, Malinda Pushpakumara, Roshen Silva and Kaushal Silva.