da luck： The Sri Lankan selectors have picked a 27-man squad for the forthcomingPakistan A tour of Sri Lanka, which was to commence on the 9th May, but hasnow been delayed until the end of May
CricInfo26-Apr-2001The Sri Lankan selectors have picked a 27-man squad for the forthcomingPakistan A tour of Sri Lanka, which was to commence on the 9th May, but hasnow been delayed until the end of May.The squad includes a number of players, who have played for the senior side,including Dilhara Fernando, Akalaka Ganegama, Thilan Samaraweera, AvishkaGunawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Lanka de Silva, PrasannaJayawardene, Indika Gallage, Rangana Herath, Malinga Bandara and SureshPerera, who has finally recovered from injury and is being keenly watched bythe Sri Lankan management as they look for an all rounder for the 2003 WorldCup.There is, however, no space in the squad for left arm spinner DinukHettiarachchi, who impressed in the final Test Match against England, andNiroshan Banadaratillake, who looked to have bowled his way back intointernational contention just a few weeks ago. Their places have been takenby Sajeewa Weerakoon, a left arm spinner who has taken 66 first-classwickets for BRC this season, and Sajeeka Abeynayake, who plays forBloomfield. Malintha Warnapura, an off spinning all rounder, who played forSri Lanka in the Commonwealth Games comes back into contention.The pace bowling looks strong with the likes of Dilhara Fernando, AkalankaGanegama, Indika Gallage, Suresh Perera, being joined with Dinusha Fernandoand Sujeewa de Silva.The batting includes a number of exciting uncapped young players: SukithPeiris, who impressed on the recent Under 19 tour of Australia, the freeflowing Jevantha Kalatunga, Michael Vandort, Jehan Mubarak, MuthumudaligePushpakumara, who impressed against England, and Ian Daniel.The squad is currently training under the guidance of A-team coach, HemanthaDevapriya, and Under 19 coach, Owen Mattau.Full Squad:Avishka Gunawardene, Jehan Mubarak, Sukith Peiris, Chamara Silva, Lanka deSilva, Malintha Warnapura, Thilan Samaraweera, Rangana Herath, KaushalyaLoukuarachchi, Sujeewa de Silva, Indika Gallage, Gayan Wijekoon, DinushaFernando, Michael Van Dort, Shantha Kalavitgoda, Ian Daniel, TillakaratneDilshan, Upeka Fernando, Jevantha Kulatunga, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara,Suresh Perera, Sajeewa Weerakoon, Malinga Bandara, Akalanka Ganegama,Dilhara Fernando, Prasanna Jayawardene, Sajeka Abeynayake.