Having faced the trivial dilemma of games being washed away for the increment weather, Sri Lanka Air Force too could not perform themselves as expected during the recently concluded premier limited overs tournament. Having washed the dust-off the Katunayaka lads are looking to settle into the three day tournament.
Key Players
Shifting himself from outskirts of Colombo Achira Eranga will pilot the Airmen. Playing In the middle order he also carries himself as a part time bowler. Having played 94 innings in 54 first class matches he holds a batting average of 23.13. He has bagged 81 wickets in 42 innings and proved himself as a useful part time bowler. He is expected to strengthen the middle order with his experience and help out in the bowling department as well.
Playing in the opening slot and heading the batting line up Sajith Kalumpriya will be a player to watch out. Having played 53 first class innings, the right-hander he has scored 1568 runs and a batting average of 31.36. With an average strike rate of 58.39 and a highest score of 127 he is the ideal man to provide the kick-off for a long standing innings.
Yashodha Lanka will strengthen the middle order alongside the skipper. He holds the potential to bat through the innings or build up the innings where the openers have failed. Having played 43 innings in his first class career he holds a batting average of 36.06. With a highest score of 171 he has scored 1551 runs in his first class career.
Lasanda Rukmal will be powering the pace attack of the Airmen. Opening the bowling from one end he has bagged 58 wickets in his terse first career of 39 innings. With an economy rate of 4.28 he will pile on the pressure for the opposition batsman. Having 3 four-wicket hauls and 1 five wicket haul he will be used to early in the innings to prey for that important top order break-through.
While Lasanda Rukmal powers the pace attack, Tharanga Jayawardhena will hold the spin department through his leg break bowling style. Having played 39 first class innings he has bagged 64 wickets. With an economy rate of 3.48 he will definitely build up the pressure from one end and tighten the screws. He has taken a hat-trick in both four and five wicket hauls and will be a blower to look out for in the season.
Coaching contingent
Sudath Munaweera will be the man-in-charge of the Airmen this season. Starting his coaching career way back in 1995 this man needs no introduction to the exemption. Doing his maiden coaching assignment away from the country in Australia, he coached the Moor bank team in Sydney. After returning to the island nation he coached the domestic giant Moors SC from 1998 to the year 2000. Flying away from the country for more education on the field he returned in the year 2011 and since then have been the mentor of the Sri-Lankan Air Force Cricket Club.
Skipper Eranga sharing the thoughts with ThePapare.com “We could not perform as we expected in the one day tournament due to bad weather. But we had around one month to practice after the limited overs tournament so I believe that we are in good shape for the three day tournaments.
Coach Munaweera expressing his ideas “We have a fairly blooming side for this season and these boys are filled with potential to make an impact on the season this time around”.
Full Squad with Disciplines
Sajith Kalumpriya – Right Hand Bat
Thuppahi Nadeera – Left Hand Bat
Lahiru Sri Lakmal – Right Hand Bat
Angelo Emmanuel – Left Hand Bat – Right Hand Off-Spin
Pasindu Laskshanka – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-Keeper
Yashodha Lanka – Right Hand Bat
Achira Eranga – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Off Spin
Sanjeewa Bulathwala – Right Hand Bat
Akila Ishanka – Left Hand Bat – Left Hand Leg Spin
Lasada Rukmal – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Fast Bowler
Sahan Jayawardhena – Left Hand Bat –Left Arm Medium Fast
Dishan Hewage – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Sohan Rangika – Right Hand Ba – Right Arm Off Spin
Buddhika Sadaruwan – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Ravin Tharanga – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Off Spin
Sameera Wanigasekara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Vishwa Kanchuka – Left Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Asiri Karunaratene – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
Sidath Priyankara – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
Udara Ranasinghe – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Hasith Wickramasighe – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Charith Guneratene – Right Hand Bat
Air Force CC – Captain – Achira Eranga
Air Force CC – Coach – Sudath Munaweera
