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| Saturday, 9 August 2003 |
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South Africans here to play indoor cricket Home and Away Test Series against Sri Lanka to commence on August 23 The Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA) will be hosting the upcoming South African tour to Sri Lanka at the Austasia Indoor Cricket Stadium from Aug 20. A Home and Away Series, the first leg will be battled out here in Sri Lanka whilst the second leg will be hosted by the South Africans in 2005. The first of many games on the World Body Calendar to be held before the World Cup 2004 in Sri Lanka, it is the objective of many of the teams to use these opportunities to acclimatize themselves. Chairman of the Selection committee, Hiran de Mel said "It will be an extremely exiting week of Indoor Cricket. The South Africans are a very strong team, having played the game for around 8 years. However, presently the Sri Lankan team holds a higher World ranking. This strong contention will lend itself to a nail biting finale". A powerful Sri Lankan team of 16 players has been selected and are undergoing a gruelling schedule of practice and preparation. Selection criteria was strict and was based on performance at previous tournaments, practice performance and attendance. The Sri Lanka side constitutes Chrishantha Peris, Tharindu Mendis, Vinod Samrawickrama, Gamini Perera, Asela Pathirana, Roshan Weerasinghe, Sanjeewa Jayaratne, Thushendra Zoysa, Dilshan Witharana and Iroshan de Silva. The 6 remaining players from the Squad of 16 will now make up the 'A' Team and are also scheduled to play some matches. These players have been named as Chandika Sisira Kumara, Nilam Jaymon, Chamindu Perera, Nalaka de Silva, Sachindra Gonaduwa and K. Kamal and will be under consideration for the main squad depending on performance in the unofficial matches. The Tour begins on 19th August with the arrival of the vastly experienced South African team made up of Michael Wenk (Manager), Johnny Wilson (Coach), Nestus Bosman, Neil Burger, Ryan de Vries, Mark Elferink, Lester Esterhuizen, Dawie Muller, Shawn Schaper, Jacko Badenhorst, Kelvin Bain and Daniel Theron). Intermingled with the 5 test matches are warm up games, and international coaching clinics aimed at increasing international exposure. Austasia Indoor Cricket Complex in Thalawathugoda is the only World Body recognised international Indoor Cricket Complex in whole of Asia, which puts Sri Lanka in a strategically important position. With this advantage the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA) is poised to take the lead in developing Indoor Cricket not only in Sri Lanka but also in Asia. The tour itinerary is as follows: 19th August - SA Team arrives in Colombo Press Conference 26th August - Option - 1 (Rest day Colombo/ Facilities at Austasia/ Practice) Option - 2 (Excursion) 27th August - Option - 1 (Rest day in Colombo/ Half a day City Tour) Option - 2 (Excursion) 28th August - Option - 1 (Morning - Rest) Evening - International Development Clinic, Option - 2 Excursion arriving Colombo, Evening - International Development Clinic 29th August - Team SA vs SL (3rd Test) 30th Team SA vs SL (4th Test) 31th August - Team SA vs SL (5th and final Test) Presentation night 01st September - City Tour/ Shopping 02nd September - Departure |
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