After the senior team failed to cope with the Sri Lankan spinners, the Proteas’ Emerging Team is in the island for a tough series against a strong Sri Lankan Emerging side.
A press conference to mark the beginning of the series was held today (25) at the JAIC Hilton in Colombo, with the participation of the captains and coaches of the respective teams.
Kaushal Silva to lead Sri Lanka Emerging squad
Discarded Sri Lanka Test opening batsman Kaushal Silva has been named as the captain…
Sri Lanka have a strong and experienced squad for this series, which is not always the case when it come to an Emerging squad. The Sri Lanka Emerging coach Avishka Gunawardena explained as to why the selectors went with more senior national players in this squad.
“There are certain objectives you want to achieve from a tour. The main objective here is to give these senior players an opportunity to find form and get back in the Sri Lanka squad.”
Discarded Sri Lanka Test opening batsman Kaushal Silva has been named as the captain of the Sri Lanka Emerging Squad to compete with the visiting South Africa Emerging team in the first four-day match, which starts on 26th July at Chilaw Marians Grounds, Katunayake.
“It is not a strange thing for me to be leading an Emerging team. I give my 100% to whichever team I play for. I’m looking forward to the challenge and make a comeback by scoring a lot of runs” said Kaushal Silva, when questioned on how it feels to be playing for an Emerging team being a veteran of 37 Test caps.
32-year old Silva last represented Sri Lanka during the Pakistan series in the UAE in 2017 and since then has not been considered for national selection. He made a solid 76 against the Proteas’ in the two-day practice match earlier this month.
Former Sri Lanka U19 and Richmond College skipper Charith Asalanka has been named as the Vice-Captain of the team which include young stars such as top-order batsman Pathum Nissanka, middle-order batsman Sammu Ashan, ambidextrous spinner Kamindu Mendis and fast-bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunarathne.
Sri Lanka ODI squad to play South Africa announced
Angelo Mathews will lead the Sri Lanka ODI team in the upcoming five-match series….
The South Africa Emerging coach Shukri Conrad was optimistic about the spin challenge his team is set to face in Sri Lanka.
“We know it will be tough and we expect to face a lot of spin bowling on this tour. But we are professionals and we have prepared for all conditions.”
Sri Lanka Emerging Squad for 1st Match: Kaushal Silva (Captain), Madawa Warnapura, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Sammu Ashan, Kamindu Mendis, Manoj Sarathchandra, Chamika Karunarathne, Lahiru Gamage, Dilesh Gunaratne, Malinda Pushpakumara.
Standby – Hasitha Boyagoda, Nisala Tharaka.
South Africa Emerging squad: Tony de Zorzi (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Gregory Mahlokwana, Alvin Dithole, Matthew Breetzke, Raynard van Tonder, Kagiso Rapulana, Smangaliso Nhlebela, Eathan Bosch, Onke Nyaku, Kerwin Mungroo, Nandre Burger, Jiveshen Pillay, Lutho Sipamla, Junaid Dawood
Catch all the live action of the series on ThePapare.com, Dialog Television and Dialog MyTV.
- First Four Day Match: 26-29 July – Chilaw Marians Grounds, Katunayake
- Second Four Day Match: 2-5 August – Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambanthota
- 1st One Day Match – 9 August – Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
- 2nd One Day Match – 11 August – Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
- 3rd One Day Match – 14 August – SSC Grounds, Colombo
