Sri Lanka cricket team led by Dasun Shanaka will play their first practice game against Zimbabwe today at the Melbourne International cricket Stadium (MCG) at 2.30pm (Sri Lanka time).
Sri Lanka team already in Melbourne seven days time and got a training with their supporting staff headed by coach Chris Silverwood while they had their final fielding practice session at the MCG under lights yesterday before this first practice game against Zimbabwe.
According to a senior official of the Sri Lanka team management all Sri Lanka team members are in good physical and mental condition to focus on T-20 World Cup while two practice games against Zimbabwe and Ireland on 11 and 13 will give them a big boost to adjust to the Australian conditions.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka are expected to play their full side today to get match exposure. The openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, Dhanushka Gunatilleka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka the skipper and Chamika Karunaratne will strengthen the batting department while three spinners Wanidu Hasaranga, Maheesh Teekshana and Jeffray Vandersay and two seamers Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka most probably will play today’s practice game while they will rotate their batters and pacemen (Pramod Madushan and Lahiru Kumara) for the other practice game.
The inclusion of the coaching consultant Mahela Jayawardena who was back to Melbourne on last 7 give a big boost to the Sri Lanka team, especially Mahela is working with promising batter Charith Asalanka and seriously monitored his batting techniques before the world T-20. In fact Charith Asalanka was not among the runs during the last Asia Cup T-20 tournament and he is working hard during the training said SLC senior officials.
Our players are gradually adjusting to the Australian conditions. It is little bit cold climate 15-16 degress while they are now getting much better with daily training and supporting staff always with the team.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan team have been invited to gala dinner today after the match in Melbourne and Sri Lankan supporters are expected to grace this occasion to encourage the team.
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