Five under 19 cricketers in Lanka 'A' pool

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Five Sri Lanka under 19 cricketers who excelled during the recent tour to Pakistan recently have been included in a 25-member Sri Lanka 'A' pool named for the upcoming unofficial test and one-day series against West Indies 'A'.

Under 19 captain Harshan Vithana, batsmen Upul Tharanga and Chamara Kapugedera, wicket-keeper/batsman Gihan de Silva and fast bowler Chanaka Wijesinghe are the five given a break in recognition of their outstanding performances on the tour.

Chairman of selectors Lalith Kaluperuma said that a few senior cricketers who went on the recent tour to New Zealand have also been included in consultation with national captain Marvan Atapattu, namely Shantha Kalavitigoda, Farveez Maharoof and Ruchira Perera.

Kaluperuma said that this squad will be pruned down to about 15 players for the 'tests' and the one-dayers after a 3-day practice game scheduled to start on Friday. The squad is also expected to undergo a fitness test under the watchful eyes of coach Stan Nel as some of the players are nursing injuries.

West Indies 'A' who were due on May 20 have requested for a week's postponement. Sri Lanka Cricket is awaiting a reply from them either today or tomorrow.

SLC director operations Bandula Warnapura said that there won't be a problem making the adjustments to the itinerary.

"With the present weather conditions during the Wesak month a postponement of the matches by a week will also help us. The main objective is to get the maximum playing time," said Warnapura.

West Indies 'A' are scheduled to play a series of two unofficial 4-day tests in Colombo and in Kandy and three one-day limited-over matches in Dambulla. Two side games also form part of the itinerary.

SRI LANKA 'A' POOL: Ian Daniel, Shantha Kalavitigoda, Michael Van Dort, Avishka Gunawardena, Saman Jayantha, Russel ARnold, Jehan Mubarak, Malintha Gajanayake, Upul Tharanga, Chanaka Wijesinghe, Harsha Vithana, Prasanna Jayawardene, Gihan de Silva, Farveez Maharoof, Gayan Wijekoon, Darshana Lokuhettige, Hasantha Fernando, Suraj Mohamed, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Nandika Ranjith, Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Priyankara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera.