Avishka returns to bolster Lankan 'A' batting

BY SA'ADI Thawfeeq

Kandy, Sunday - The fickle weather which Colombo has been experiencing for the past five days or so has extended its tentacles to Asgiriya, Kandy - venue of the first 4-day unofficial cricket test between Sri Lanka 'A' and Pakistan 'A'.

Sri Lanka 'A' were deprived of any practice in the morning when it rained on and often and were forced to do light training under a steady drizzle before winding their way back to the 'Citadel'.

With the pitch under covers for most of the day and the outfield having taken enough water already, Sri Lanka 'A' were not taking any chances of finalising their eleven. They have put it off for the morning of the match.

With three seamers likely to play, Sri Lanka 'A' will have to make a final choice between a batsman and a spinner. They have gone as far as minimising their squad from 15 to 13 by omitting batsman Anushka Polonowita and fast bowler Priyanka Silva.

Sri Lanka 'A' will welcome the return of hard-hitting left-handed opener Avishka Gunawardena into the side. Gunawardena was forced to miss the one-day triangular series after suffering from a severe bout of cramps during a practice match.

His condition was so serious that he had to spend a few days in hospital. Without the big hitting experience of Gunawardena, the Sri Lanka 'A' batting was found wanting on several occasions during the tournament.

Two other left-handers Russel Arnold and Michael Vandort will be keen to continue their good form into the 'test' series. Arnold overlooked for the tour of New Zealand was in outstanding form during the one-day tournament running up the highest aggregate of 316 runs (avg. 63.20) inclusive of four fifties from five matches.

Vandort broke into the Test scene with a lot of promise but a loss of form saw him omitted even from the 'A' squad.

Given a lucky break when Gunawardena was hospitalised, Vandort has seized the opportunity with both hands scoring an undefeated hundred backed up by two fifties to total 291 runs (average 72.75) in five matches in the one-day tournament. It was Arnold and Vandort who held the Sri Lankan 'A' batting together when the rest failed.

The series will also prove to be a testing one for skipper Jehan Mubarak. Talented as he is this tall left-hander had a horrific one-day tournament with the bat averaging 4.40 from five innings.

Pakistan 'A' who practiced in the afternoon was somewhat fortunate with the weather. They were able to use the ground to gain for some useful practice under some welcome sunshine.

Pakistan 'A' who won a thrilling final against Sri Lanka 'A' to clinch the tri-nation one-day limited overs tournament by one wicket on the Duckworth and Lewis rule on Tuesday, had their only 2-day practice fixture against a Sri Lanka Academy XI affected by bad weather at Moratuwa.

They dismissed the Academy XI for 159 and replied with 101-4 before the match ended in a draw.

The Asgiriya ground authorities were keeping their fingers crossed that it wouldn't rain later yesterday night, which may prevent a prompt start at 10.30 a.m.

The series will comprise two 'tests' with the second one due to commence at Rangiri Dambulla on April 10. Earlier, Sri Lanka 'A' drew a similar two 'test' series against England 'A' where both matches were played in Colombo.

The teams: SRI LANKA 'A' (from): Jehan Mubarak (captain), Avishka Gunawardene, Ian Daniel, Michael Vandort, Russel Arnold, Malintha Gajanayake, Prasanna Jayawardene, Gayan Wijekoon, Malinga Bandara, Dilhara Fernando, Nandika Ranjith, Suraj Mohamed, Sajeewa Weerakoon.

PAKISTAN 'A' (from): Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Wajahatullah Wasti, Faisal Athar, Bazid Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Hasan Raza, Yasir Arafat, Zulqarnain Haider, Tahir Khan, Imran Thahir, Abdul Rauf, Mohammad Asif, Riaz Afridi, Aamir Bashir, Asher Zaidi.

UMPIRES: Peter Manuel and Tyronne Wijewardene, Match Referee: Muttiah Devarajah.