Changes likely in SL 'A' for Second Test
 

by Chris Dhambarage

The Sri Lanka 'A' team will be more concerned about the present whether pattern than their own form when they take on the touring New Zealand 'A' team in the second 4 day unofficial test match at the Colts CC grounds, Havelock Park today.

The Lankans are not all that worried despite their three wicket defeat in the first unofficial test at the Asgiriya Stadium concluded last week. But their chances of making a comeback and levelling the three match series now depends on the current weather which is threatening to ruin the game during the next four days.

As a result the Sri Lanka 'A' team have delayed naming their final eleven until the start of the match although New Zealand 'A' may retain the same winning side following their excellent show in Kandy.

The Manager of the Sri Lanka 'A' team Anura Tennekoon was quite satisfied with the teams performances in the first test although they ended up in the losing side.

The former Sri Lanka captain said that the first test was a good contest as both teams had a real chance of pulling off the game until the end. But he hinted that there will probably be a couple of changes both in the batting and the bowling departments as Sri Lanka 'A' will be desperate to win the match.

Tennekoon said that the wicket at Asgiriya did not help the spinners and this was one reason for his team's setback as the side was banking heavily on Malinga Bandara and Sajeewa Weerakoon. Leg Spinner Bandara who is fresh after a highly successful English county season went wicketless in both innings while Weerakoon managed to claim just a solitary wicket when New Zealand 'A' were chasing a competitive total of 263 runs for victory in the second innings.

The Lankans certainly ran out of options in the first test as they even switched to the occasional bowling of Ian Daniel and Harsha Vithana in a desperate attempt to prevent the Kiwis from reaching their target. Sri Lanka 'A' captain Avishka Gunawardena meanwhile have called for an improved performance from their top order batsmen in this deciding encounter.

The dashing left hander made a top score of 73 in the first innings but the entire top order failed to make an impact in the second innings which eventually led to their defeat. In contrast New Zealand 'A' will be quite pleased with their performances and will be determined to keep the pressure on their opponents for the second time in the series.

Sri Lanka 'A' (from): Avishka Gunawardena (captain), Ian Daniel, Upul Tharanga, Harsha Vithana, Thilina Kandamby, Prasanna Jayawardena, Jeevan Mendis, Gayan Wijekoon, Malinga Bandara, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Nuwan Soysa, Charith Jayaweera, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Stand byes: Gihan de Silva, Tharanga Lakshitha, Shantha Kalawitigoda, Suraj Mohamed.

New Zealand 'A' (from): P. Fulton (captain), M. Papps, J. How, M. Sinclair, J. Marshell, C. Harris, G. Hopkings, J. Franklyn, J. Patel, C. Martin, I. O'Brien, B. Martin, D. Tuffey, J. Ryder, M. Skimmings and G. Aldrich.