The first-ever pink ball match on Sri Lankan soil will be played between Sri Lanka A and West Indies A starting on 4th October at R. Premadasa International Stadium.
Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to play the first four-day first-class match using the Kookaburra pink ball but not under lights. The series consisting three four-day matches and three one-day matches was officially announced at a press briefing held on Monday evening in Colombo.
In order to provide a pathway to the cricketers to play in the international level, this series has been arranged by SLC. The West Indies A has not taken part in any A team tours since their last visit to Sri Lanka in 2014 under the leadership of Carlos Braithwaite.
Sri Lanka A
Opening batsman Dimuth Karunarathne who managed only 41 runs in 6 innings against Australia in the recent Test series will be itching to get back to form during this series ahead of two national tours to the African region, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He is slated to be opening the batting with his vice-captain and hard-hitting left-hander Kusal Janith Perera.
“This will be our first time playing in pink ball, we’ve had about two days of training with the pink ball and I don’t think it will make much of a difference but after it gets old, it might be a little difficult than the red ball.” Captain Karunarathne said.
Lahiru Thirimanne who was dropped from the Sri Lanka Test squad after the Lord’s Test in June will look to regain his place in the senior team while consistent right-hander Roshen Silva and the talented U19 captain Charith Asalanka will make up the rest of the middle-order.
Young U19 fast-bowlers, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara will be the cynosure of all eyes alongside 21-year old left-arm seam-bowling all-rounder from NCC, Anuk Fernando. Coach Avishka Gunawardene hinted at a more pace-oriented bowling attack to find seam bowling resources for the upcoming national tours.
“Our main objective is to feed players to the national team while playing to win. We need plenty of fast-bowlers in Zimbabwe and South Africa so we will look to play more fast-bowlers in this series. The two U19 boys, Asitha and Lahiru have improved quite a bit in the last 6 months and I’m really excited to see how they go about with the A team. Young Anuk Fernando has also been really impressive with the Sri Lanka Development XI in Zimbabwe. “ Gunawardene said.
Sri Lanka A squad for the first two four-day games – Dimuth Karunarathne (Captain), Kusal Janith Perera (Vice-Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Guneratne, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Anuk Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandaken, Vimukthi Perera, Kasun Madhushanka.
West Indies A
The right-handed middle-order batsman Shamarh Brooks will lead an experienced Windies outfit in the three four-day matches while all-rounder Jason Mohommad will captain the visitors in the limited-overs matches.
Fast-bowler, Kemar Roach, who spearheaded the West Indies attack ever since he made his Test debut in 2009 will lead the A team bowling attack in the first part of the tour while opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika has also been named after being dropped after a dismal show in the first two Tests of the four-match series against India last month.
The likes of left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul, hard-hitting batsman Andre Fletcher and wicket-keeper batsman Chadwick Walton will be a part of the one-day squad.
“I have played two first-class games with the pink ball in Caribbean. That one was Duke but this one would be Kookaburra. After a few overs, that one was a bit hard to see but this Kookaburra is a bit darker so I find it okay and looking forward for the challenge.” Skipper Brooks told the media about his thoughts on the pink-ball.
West Indies A four-day games squad – Shamarh Brooks (captain), Vishual Singh (vice-captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Kieran Powell, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Damion Jacobs, Rahkeem Cornwall, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Keon Joseph, Delorn Johnson, Reynard Leveridge, Jahmar Hamilton
West Indies A one-day games squad – Jason Mohammed (captain), Andre Fletcher (vice-captain), Ronsford Beaton, Kesrick Williams, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Kyle Hope, Chadwick Walton, Andre McCarthy, Assad Fudadin, Veerasammy Permaul, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Damion Jacobs, Delorn Johnson.
Tour Schedule
- 1st four-day match – 4th – 7th October – R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
- 2nd four-day match – 11th – 14th October – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
- 3rd four-day match – 18th – 21st October – Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium
- 1st one-day match – 24th October – Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium
- 2nd one-day match – 27th October – Welagedara Cricket Stadium, Kurunegala
- 3rd one-day match – 30th October – R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
