Sri Lanka Cricket today (31st December) announced the Sri Lanka ‘A’ 4-Day and One Day squads to take on the visiting Ireland ‘A’ team. A 15-man squad for the 2-Day practice match starting tomorrow (1st January) was also named.
The Irishmen arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday and will play 2 4-Day matches and 4 One Day matches before they depart on the 30th of January.
An 18-man squad led by Ashan Priyanjan has been named for the longer version while a 16-man squad led by veteran Upul Tharanga has been named for the limited overs leg.
The squad for the 4-Day matches consists 5 fast-bowlers with BRC pacer Mohamed Shiraz earning his maiden call-up for the ‘A’ team. Young batsmen Avishka Fernando (has played 1 ODI for Sri Lanka in 2016), Hasitha Boyagoda and Pathum Nissanka have also been named in an ‘A’ team for the first time while all-rounder Kamindu Mendis who played in the recent T20I against England will be a player to keep an eye on.
Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya has been drafted alongside Amila Aponso, both vying for Rangana Herath’s place in the Sri Lanka Test squad with 31-year old Malinda Pushpakumara not being considered suggesting a vacancy yet to be filled.
National discards Milinda Siriwardena and Angelo Perera have also been named as rewards for their tremendous form in the ongoing domestic season while the latter has been named as the deputy to Ashan Priyanjan, another national discard who has been consistently performing in the domestic circuit.
04 DAY SQUAD
Ashan Priyanjan (C), Angelo Perera (VC), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Milantha, Hasitha Boyagoda, Pathum Nissanka, Sammu Ashan, Kamindu Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Manoj Sarathchandra, Lasith Embuldeniya, Nishan Peiris, Amila Aponso, Nisala Tharaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Shehan Madushanka, Mohamed Shiraz, Dilesh Gunaratne
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Experienced batsmen Upul Tharanga has been named captain of the One Day squad with Milinda Siriwardena as his deputy. Tharanga was dropped since the 3rd ODI against England in October and was not considered since then.
Jeewan Mendis and Isuru Udana also make it to the contingent while batsmen Ramesh Mendis and bowling all-rounder Ishan Jayaratne comeback to a major squad after a long break.
ONE DAY SQUAD
Upul Tharanga (C), Milinda Siriwardana (VC), Avishka Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Sammu Ashan, Kamindu Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Lasith Embuldeniya. Ramesh Mendis, Amila Aponso, Jeevan Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Jehan Daniel, Isuru Udana, Ishan Jayaratne
The 15-man squad for the 2-Day practice match includes 4 school boys in batsman Nuwanidu Fernando, spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Kalhara Senaratne and fast-bowler Kalana Perera. Tharindu Kaushal who once was a sensation for Sri Lanka and was suspended due to an illegal action, has also been named.
Colts batsman Hashan Dumindu and BRC all-rounder Hashen Ramanayake have been named captain and vice-captain respectively.
02 DAY SQUAD (PRACTICE GAME)
Hashan Dumindu (C), Hashen Ramanayake (VC), Sandun Weerakkody, Osada Fernando, Hasitha Boyagoda, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Dushan Vimukthi, Minod Bhanuka, Mahesh Theekshana, Tharindu Kaushal, Akash Senaratne, Kalhara Senaratne, Kalana Perera, Akthab Cader
FIXTURES
| 1st – 2nd January | 2-Day Warm-up | Marians Cricket Ground, Katunayake |
| 5th – 8th January | 1st 4-Day | SSC, Colombo |
| 13th – 16th January | 2nd 4-Day | MRICS, Hambantota |
| 19th January | 1st ODI | MRICS, Hambantota |
| 21st January | 2nd ODI | MRICS, Hambantota |
| 24th January | 3rd ODI | SSC, Colombo |
| 26th January | 4th ODI | SSC, Colombo |
| 29th January | 5th ODI | RPICS, Colombo |
