Tuesday, 28 May 2002  
The widest coverage in Sri Lanka.
Sports
News

Business

Features

Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

Government - Gazette

Sunday Observer

Budusarana On-line Edition





Romesh and Pramodaya included in Lanka 'A' team for final test

by Chris Dhambarage

The national selectors recalled two former test caps Romesh Kaluwitharana and Pramodaya Wickremasinghe to the Sri Lanka 'A' team for the third and final 4 day unofficial test match against the touring India 'A' team which begins at the NCC grounds, Maitland Place today.

With the series still open after the first two test matches had ended in a draw, the Lankans have further strengthened their side in an attempt to force a victory and seal the rubber. The inclusion of Kaluwitharana means that the dashing wicket keeper batsman is still in contention for a place in the Sri Lankan one day squad. He is certain to take over the duties behind the stumps replacing Charith Sylvester who played in the second test at the De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa.

In fact Kaluwitharana is the third wicket keeper who has being tried out in this series with Malintha Perera keeping wickets in the first test at the SSC grounds. In addition Pramodaya Wickremasinghe of Tamil Union too makes a comeback while further strengthening the pace attack. This could be another good opportunity for Wickremasinghe to prove his capabilities and regain his place in the test side.

The national selectors have also included Sebastianites Sports Club fast bowler Hasantha Fernando and BRC's left arm spinner Sajeeva Weerakoon. The Sri Lankans have tried out a number of spinners in this series but none of them have really made an impact so far. However Sri Lanka 'A' team manager Graham Labrooy said that they would pick the final eleven depending on the conditions of the wicket.

After the heavy rains in Colombo during the last few days the NCC wicket is certain to be on the slow side making it somewhat difficult for the strokemakers. Sri Lanka 'A' despite their strong batting line up have failed to deliver the goods with most of their top order batsmen failing to convert their fifties into centuries. This was quite clear in the first test as well as in the second where Naveed Nawaz, Avishka Gunawardena and Chamara Silva all departing after completing half centuries.

Meanwhile India 'A' too have boosted their team with the arrival of test cap Harbhajan Singh from the Caribbean after a successful test series against the West Indies. The 21 year old off spinner from the Northern State of Panjab captured his 100th test wicket during the fifth and final test in Kingston, Jamaica. He returned figures of 5 for 138 in the first innings which was his 8th five wicket haul in 25 test matches.

Harbhajan's presence would certainly be an added advantage for the test match as well as for the three match one day series which will be followed immediately.

The teams:

Sri Lanka 'A' (from): Tillekeratne Dilshan (captain), Avishka Gunawardena, Ian Daniel, Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Naveed Nawaz, Anushka Polonowita, Malintha Perera, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Dulip Liyanage, Chamila Gamage, Akalanka Ganegama, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Rangana Herath, Romesh Kaluwitharna, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Hasantha Fernando, Sajeeva Weerakoon.

India 'A' (from): Harishikesh Kanitkar (captain), Rohan Gavaskar (vice captain), S. Sriram, Akesh Chopra, Gautam Ganbhir, P. Mullick, Parthiv Patel, M. S. K. Prasad, J. P. Yadav, V. Sharma, L. Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Sairaj Bahutule, Amit Mishra, Harbhajan Singh.

Quotations for Newsprint

Sampath Bank

Crescat Development Ltd.

www.priu.gov.lk

www.helpheroes.lk


News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |


Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager


Hosted by Lanka Com Services