The Sri Lanka ‘A’ team, led by Ashan Priyanjan, took wing today for a month-long tour of England.
The team will commence their campaign on the 26th of June in Chester-Le-Street when they take on Durham in a four-day match, followed by two more four-day matches against Pakistan ‘A’ in Leicester and Worcester. After the four-day campaign is over, Sri Lanka ‘A’ will be involved in a Tri-series with the England Lions and Pakistan ‘A’.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka A Team Departure for England Tour
Niroshan Dickwella (Currently in England with the Sri Lanka national team) and Roshane Silva (Currently in Ireland playing domestic cricket) will join the squad as soon as the team reaches England while the one-day specialists will take wings to England on a later date.
“Dickwella will be our first-choice wicket-keeper because he could not play a single game for almost 7 weeks with the national team and with the Australia tour looming; this will be a great opportunity for him.” Sri Lanka ‘A’ coach, Avishka Gunawardene mentioned regarding the inclusion of the former Trinity College captain.
“This tour is a great opportunity for players like, Charith Asalanka and Asitha Fernando who recently played for Sri Lanka U19s and for out-of-form players like Thisara Perera to push for a place in the national team.” Gunawardene further stated.
“We have a good balanced squad of experienced campaigners and a few youngsters. There are 9 specialist batsmen, 4 fast-bowlers, 2 spinners and an all-rounder in the touring squad. We trained for about one and half months in pitches similar to England but we need to train hard and acclimatize quickly, especially we need to look into our fielding.” Skipper Ashan Priyanjan said at the press conference held before the team’s departure.
Four-Day Squad
Ashan Priyanjan (Captain – SL Ports Authority), Mahela Udawatta (Moors), Udara Jayasundara (Ragama), Madhawa Warnapura (Bloomfield), Niroshan Dickwella (NCC), Roshane Silva (Ragama), Angelo Perera (NCC), Minod Bhanuka (SSC), Charith Asalanka (Richmond College, Galle), Sachith Pathirana (CCC), Lahiru Gamage (Chilaw Marians), Kasun Rajitha (Badureliya), Vishwa Fernando (Bloomfield), Asitha Fernando (St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya), Ramith Rambukwella (Tamil Union), Prabath Jayasuriya (Colts)
50-over Squad
Ashan Priyanjan (Captain – SL Ports Authority), Mahela Udawatta (Moors), Udara Jayasundara (Ragama), Bhanuka Rajapakse (Chilaw Marians), Niroshan Dickwella (NCC), Kithruwan Vithanage (Tamil Union), Angelo Perera (NCC), Minod Bhanuka (SSC), Charith Asalanka (Richmond College, Galle), Sachith Pathirana (CCC), Lahiru Gamage (Chilaw Marians), Kasun Rajitha (Badureliya), Thisara Perera (SSC), Asitha Fernando (St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya), Mohommad Dilshad (Badureliya), Ramith Rambukwella (Tamil Union), Lakshan Sandaken (CCC).
Tour Schedule
Four-Day Match – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs Durham – June 26,27,28,29 at Chester-Le-Street.
Four-Day Match – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs Pakistan ‘A’ – July 3,4,5,6 at Leicester.
Four-Day Match – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs Pakistan ‘A’ – July 10,11,12,13 at Worcester.
Tri-Series (50 Overs) – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs Pakistan ‘A’ – July 18 at Cheltenham.
Tri-Series (50 Overs) – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs England Lions – July 21 at Northampton.
Tri-Series (50 Overs) – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs Pakistan ‘A’ – July 22 at Northampton.
Tri-Series (50 Overs) – Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs England Lions – July 25 at Canterbury.
