The Sri Lanka ‘A’ team led by Ashan Priyanjan took wing to New Zealand on Sunday night for a month-long tour.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ team will play four unofficial ODIs and two unofficial Tests against New Zealand A. Their tour begins in Lincoln on October 1, with two warm-up encounters against New Zealand Cricket’s winter training squad.
This tour will benefit all the fringe players to make a name for themselves ahead of the Sri Lanka national team tour of New Zealand in December.
All players will be determined to do well during this tour as Sri Lanka Cricket is currently in a transition period and lots of places are up for grabs in the national team.
“This tour will be a new & excellent experience for most of the players. We have a very balanced team and I am pretty confident that we can do well in New Zealand.” Sri Lanka ‘A’ team coach, Romesh Kaluwitharana said before the team’s departure.
“We have practiced hard to face all the difficulties and challenges in the tour. I hope we have a very successful tour. “ Sri Lanka ‘A’ team captain Ashan Priyanjan shared his views with ThePapare.com.
The selectors have included the experienced Chamara Kapugedara in the one-day squad and most probably this will be a good test for him before he gets selected for the all-important West Indies ODI leg at home.
The lanky right-arm fast-bowler Kasun Rajitha impressed against India in the warm-up encounter taking 7 for 106 and that prompted his inclusion in both squads.
Opening batsman Dhananjaya De Silva and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay debuted against Pakistan in the T20s also find places in both squads.
Right-arm fast-bowler Lahiru Gamage, wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella and middle-order batsman Kithuruwan Vithanage, who have all represented Sri Lanka, also feature in both squads.
Young left-hander from SSC, Minod Bhanuka is the surprise inclusion in the four-day squad while Tamil Union fast-bowler Nisala Tharaka, who can reach up to 140kmph is also in both squads.
Left-arm spinner Amila Aponso starred with the ball for Sri Lanka Emerging XI against South Africa Emerging XI last month and he too finds himself in the four-day squad.
SSC duo, Dasun Shanaka and Binura Fernando who made an appearance in the Pakistan T20 series has been included in the one-day squad.
Two of the young batting talents, Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Milantha missed out from selection after impressive outings for the Sri Lanka Development XI in India recently.
Sri Lanka A unofficial Test squad: Ashan Priyanjan (captain), Dananjaya De Silva, Udara Jayasundara, Minod Bhanuka, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Asela Gunaratne, Angelo Jayasinghe, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Nisala Tharaka, Lahiru Gamage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Amila Aponso.
Sri Lanka A unofficial ODI squad: Ashan Priyanjan (capt.), Dananjaya De Silva, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedara, Lahiru Madushanka, Chaturanga De Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Nisala Tharaka
Tour Fixtures
1st warm-up match: 1 October at Lincoln
2nd warm-up match: 2 October at Lincoln
1st unofficial ODI: 5 October at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd unofficial ODI: 7 Octover at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
3rd unofficial ODI: 10 October at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
4th unofficial ODI: 13 October at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
1st unofficial Test: 17-20 October at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
2nd unofficial Test: 24-27 October at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
