19-year-old Josephian middle order batsman Priyamal Perera has been named in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for the limited-overs tour of England and Ireland in July.
Sri Lankan discard Upul Tharanga will lead a strong 16 man squad which comprises power packed performers such as Thisara Perera and Kusal Janith Perera. 19-year-old Priyamal Perera’s inclusion in the squad has been largely due to his consistent performances in the under 19 level. Priyamal was a pillar of strength for Sri Lanka in the Youth World Cup and Youth Asia Cup earlier this year. Thisara Perera has been named as Tharanga’s deputy for the 40 day tour.
Thisara Perera, along with Kusal Janith Perera, Ashan Priyanjan and Chaturanga de Silva were part of the senior Sri Lanka team which defeated hosts, England 3-2 in the ODI series recently.
29-year-old Upul Tharanga is the most experienced player in the squad which is full of well-groomed talented set of cricketers. Wicket-keeping duties will be shared between Kusal Janith Perera and Sri Lanka’s Premier Limited Overs Tournament’s highest runs scorer, Niroshan Dickwella.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ team will participate in a one-day triangular series involving New Zealand ‘A’ and England Lions. Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad will be benefited tremendously from this limited-overs tour as they will go head-to-head against vastly improved Ireland national team in three one-day encounters. Sri Lanka ‘A’ team will play a total of 12 limited-overs matches during the tour in which 4 matches will be played against English county teams.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad is packed by all-rounders such as hard-hitting Thisara Perera, right arm leg spinning all-rounder Seekuge Prasanna while Ramith Rambukwella will be the sole right arm off spin bowler in the squad. National selectors have named impressive left arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando in the squad to make up a strong pace battalion.
Surprise omission from the squad is mystery off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal who was exceptional against the touring England Lions at home while Kusal Janith Perera and Ashan Priyanjan will be touring England with the ‘A’ team after representing the senior team against South Africa in a three-match ODI series and they are assured of returning home just in time for the Pakistan’s ODI leg.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad
Upul Tharanga (captain), Thisara Perera (vice-captain), Kusal Janith Perera, Ashan Priyanjan, Chaturanga de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Mahela Udawatte, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sachith Pathirana, Priyamal Perera, Seekuge Prasanna, Ramith Rambukwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
