Another 'Loku' in the fray
 

by Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Dilhara Lokuhetttige (also known as Lokuhettige Danushka Dilhara) is the only new face in the 14-member Sri Lanka 'A' squad named by the national cricket selectors to meet West Indies 'A' in two unofficial tests at Dambulla and Kandy starting June 23.

Lokuhettige not to be confused with Kaushal Lokuarachchi (the leg-spinner) is a hard hitting right-hand batsman and effective right-arm medium-pace bowler who scored the fastest fifty last season off 22 balls for Moors against Air Force on his home ground at Braybrooke Place. The 24-year-old all-rounder wins selection for some consistent performance over the past few seasons.

Since making his first-class debut in 2000-01 Lokuhettige has scored 1682 runs (avg. 27.76) with one century and four fifties and captured 134 wickets (avg. 27.51) from 58 matches. He started off with Antonians SC and then moved to Galle CC before joining Moors SC in 2003-04.

"We think that he has the potential to develop into a good all-rounder. That is why we have picked him," said chairman of selectors Lalith Kaluperuma.

The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the one that played in the four unofficial tests against England 'A' and Pakistan 'A' with the exception of Shantha Kalavitigoda, Thilan Thushara, Anushka Polonowita and Thilina Kandamby.

The last three named failed to make it to the 25-member pool due to poor performances in the last series, while Kalavitigoda has been omitted due to an injured shoulder.

"Kalavitigoda is nursing a shoulder muscle injury. He has not recovered 100 percent. We decided to rest him to give him time to recover to full fitness," said Kaluperuma.

The right-handed opener made an instant impact in the only match he played against England #'A' scoring an impressive 83, a knock which put him on the flight to New Zealand where he went onto make his Test debut at age of 27.

Kaluperuma said that his committee decided to stick by several tried and tested players who had appeared for their country in order to give them an opportunity to regain their places in the national side ahead of the West Indies series that will follow the 'A' tour.

He said for the two-day practice game against West Indies 'A' on June 19 and 20 at Moratuwa, they would concentrate on picking players from the under 19 team who are members of the 25-member #'A' squad, namely Harsha Vithana, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Charitha Jayaweera and Gihan de Silva.

"We don't want these players who have been identified as future talent to be thrown into the deep end at once. We want them to come up gradually and make the grade," said Kaluperuma.

The 25-member 'A' squad is currently training under the watchful eyes of coach Stan Nel and newly appointed manager Anura Tennekoon, the former Sri Lanka captain.

Sri Lanka 'A' squad: Russel Arnold (captain), Prasanna Jayawardene (vice-captain), Avishka Guanwardena, Ian Daniel, Michael van Dort, Jehan Mubarak, Gayan Wijekoon, Malinga Bandara, Suraj Mohamed, Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Malintha Gajanayake, Stand-bys: Upul Tharanga, Nandika Ranjith, Priyankara Silva and Gihan de Silva.