Wicket-keeper batsman Lahiru Milantha and fast bowler Vishwa Fernando have been added to the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for the forthcoming Bangladesh tour for the three four-day match series which starts next week.
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Milantha and Fernando replaced Dasun Shanaka and Danushka Gunathilaka who flew to the West Indies to join the national squad in the ongoing Test series. The team led by experienced opening batsman Dimuth Karunarathne will leave the island on 23rd June, Saturday.
Shanaka and Gunathilaka are likely to join the ‘A’ squad after the conclusion of the West Indies tour but till then the selectors have decided to send Milantha and Fernando as cover since both were named in the stand-by list initially.
Former Peterite Milantha has been scoring heavily in the last couple of domestic seasons for Ragama Cricket Club but never got the break to represent Sri Lanka ‘A’ in four-day cricket while Fernando has represented Sri Lanka in 9 international games in all three formats but last played in December 2017 against India. He suffered a back injury afterwards hence was not considered for selection in recent times.
The first of the three four-day matches will start on June 26th in Cox’s Bazar while the second game will take place at the same venue from July 3rd.
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The third and final match of the series will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from July 10. The four-day games will be followed by three List A matches, scheduled to be played on July 17, 19 and 22 respectively in Sylhet.
According to reliable sources, all-rounder Thisara Perera will function as the captain of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team for the limited-overs matches.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for Bangladesh announced
