Lanka 'A' gets another chance to impress

by Chris Dhambarage

KANDY-The Sri Lanka 'A' team will be determined to produce an improved performance when they take on the touring New Zealand 'A' team in the first of three 4 day unofficial test matches which begins at the Asgiriya Stadium today.

The Lankans put up a dismal batting performance and failed to reach the final of the recently concluded triangular series which also included South Africa 'A'. They have another great chance to prove themselves and to impress the selectors before the final Sri Lanka squad is named for the forthcoming test and one day series against India.

In fact there are six members in the Sri Lanka 'A' team who are also named in the twenty member squad selected for the tour of India. The selected players are skipper Avishka Gunawardena, Upul Tharanga, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Nuwan Soysa and Dilhara Lokuhettige.

Among them leg spinner Malinga Bandara in particular will be quite anxious to prove his talent and potential after completing a successful series for Gloucestershire in the English county season. The right arm leg spinner is in tremendous form having captured a total of 45 wickets at a cost of 24.15 from eight first class matches.

Bandara was first selected as the Player of the Month for August during which time he captured a total of 30 first class wickets from five matches and then he was also named as the Player of the Year for his outstanding contribution with the ball during the season. With the conditions now more in favour of the slow bowlers Bandara is certain to make even a bigger impact in this series.

In fact Sri Lanka will be depending heavily on the spin trio of Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon and Kaushal Lokuarachchi who are expected to play a major role throughout the series. Sajeewa Weerakoon of course had a splendid series against South Africa 'A' where he almost single handedly helped Sri Lanka 'A' win the first 4 day unofficial test match at the NCC grounds, Maitland Place.

But the main concern for Sri Lanka 'A' is their batting where they have failed to produce anything significant during the one day series. After being shot out for 45 by South Africa 'A' in their opening match of the competition, Sri Lanka 'A's batting has hardly been convincing. Apart from getting 251 for 6 against New Zealand 'A', which they won, they have failed to come up with a matchwinning total in any of the other games scoring 166 and 234 for 9.

Even the totals they achieved over 200 have been largely due to the contributions made by the lower order batsmen. The highest individual score made by a top order batsman was 59 by Jehan Mubarak in their win over New Zealand 'A'.