Lakmal, Tharanga in Test squad
CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
The national selectors yesterday named promising fast bowler Suranga
Lakmal and opening batsman Tharanga Paranavithana in their fifteen
member squad for the up coming test series against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka will play the first test in Karachi from February 22 to 26
and the second test from March 2 to 6 at Lahore. They will also play a
three day warm up match in Karachi ahead of the opening test.
Twenty one year old Lakmal had an outstanding series during the two
unofficial test matches against South Africa A in 2008 and received full
praise from the Sri Lanka A team coach Chandika Hathurusinghe.
In the current SLC Premier League Tier A tournament Suranga Lakmal
has captured a total of 23 wickets from seven outings while representing
Tamil Union with a best effort of four wickets for 41.
Lakmal has also captured a total of 57 first class wickets from 16
matches at an average of 29.29. Paranavitana too has been a prolific run
getter this year with a tally of 621 runs for his club SSC from nine
matches including three hundreds and two fifties at an average of 65.99.
Meanwhile the national selectors yesterday named Tillekeratne Dilshan
as the captain of the Sri Lanka team for the Twenty20 international
against India next Tuesday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The selectors
also decided to continue with the same squad and stand byes for the 4th
and 5th one day internationals against India scheduled for February 5th
and 8th at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Squad for the Tests
Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (vice captain),
Malintha Warnapura, Tharanga Paranavithana, Thilan Samaraweera,
Tillekeratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardena, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah
Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof,
Dilhara Fernando, Thilina Thushara and Suranga Lakmal.
Stand byes: Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara and
Michael van Dort.
Squad for the Twenty20
Tillekeratne Dilshan (captain), Chamara Kapugedera (vice captain),
Sanath Jayasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Indika de Saram, Lasith
Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Kaushalya Weeraratne,
Malinga Bandara, Jeewantha Kulatunga, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Mahela
Udawatte, Thilina Thushara.
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