Sri Lanka A team is going to strengthen the team by adding a few National players and top form players in their second four day unofficial cricket test which will commence today at Galle International cricket stadium.
All rounder Chamika Karunaratne who came from ICL T - 20 tournament in Dubai. Leg spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, paceman Vishwa Fernando and opener Lasith Croospulle, Kamindu Mendis and Lahiru Udara have been included for the Sri Lanka 'A' team while inform opener Oshada Fernando has been rested for this game. All rounder Sahan Arachchige is also out of the final eleven today and Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis face a good test as batters.
Lahiru Udara the wicket keeper batter replaced Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Kaunaratne and Vishwa Fernando will share the new ball at the expense of two promising bowlers Milan Ratnayake and Amshi de Silva
The promising all rounder Dunith Wellalage has a slight injury in his leg and will be replaced by Praveen Jayawickrama the 24-year-old experienced leggie who played five test matches with a match bag of 11 wickets against Bangladesh at Pallekele once again will play today with experienced Lasith Embuldeniya who was not successful at the last game.
Both Lahiru Udara and opener Lasith Croospulle who performed well in the three day warm up game at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium will play the game. Milan Ratnayake and young Amshi de Silva did really well at the last four day game at Galle but selectors want to test Chamika Kaunaratne and Vishwa Fernando as pacemen before the important New Zealand test series which will commence on March 9.
All rounder Kamindu Mendis who had a leg injury has recovered now and drafted for today's game and will strengthen Sri Lanka 'A' side. Kamindu Mendis made his debut half century at the test match against Australia last March at this same venue Galle.
According to the chairman of the National selection committee Promodya Wickramasinghe they have to make tough decisions for the benefit of the Sri Lanka A and National team and there is good competition to select the players and most of them are in good form.
The skipper Nipun Dhananjaya and top order batters Nuwanindu Fernando and Kamindu Mendis will add provide batting power for strong Sri Lanka A team.
The off spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe who came as night Watchman played a fighting 73 runs and his bowling also was impressive during the four day first game and National team Head Coach Chris Silverwood and Chairman of the Selectors Promodya Wickramasinghe were at Galle during first four game and both of them seriously observed the players performance.
The Galle wicket at the first four day game was a good batting pitch while both teams have scored more then 1400 runs during their four innings and the wicket had a little bit of grass to suit the pacemen more than the spinners.
This is good for the local players to get good practice on this type of grass wicket and they have to adjust to this type of wicket especially before the overseas tours like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England. Our players have to play on this type of wicket and we hope to give grass wickets for next domestic tournaments said Chairman of the National selection committee Promodya Wickramasinghe.
"Sri Lanka Cricket will give two weeks special training to the National team at the newly reconstructed Radella Stadium before the New Zealand tour as this type of preparation is important before the New Zealand tour and we are expected to start Radella Stadium practice on February 16 and the team will leave on February 27 for New Zealand," said Pramodya
The Sri Lanka A team head coach Avishka Gunawardena is very confident about his team while their performance of the last four day was very satisfied.Win or loose is not important at this level' A 'team matches .We wanted to get good exposure and see more replacements for the national team added head coach Avishka Gunawardena who give his best support to groome second string team.
Meanwhile England led by Haseeb Hameed have good all rounders to compete once again at Galle wicket and they are tried to win the second game and get series victory.Their aim is to get good practice on this subcontinent wickets and head coach Ian Bell and spin bowling coach Graham Swan are very busy with the team .
Sri Lanka A team and England Lions are keen to play at Galle International Cricket Stadium while selection committee of the both teams are busy as observe players performance to pick the best tea for the next New Zealand tour.
Sri Lanka A squad: Nipun Dhananjaya (Capt), Nishan Madushka, Lasith Croospulle, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Chamika Kaunaratne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Isitha Wijesundara, Lakshitha Manasinghe Praveen Jayawickrama.
England Lions Squad: Alex Lees, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Haynes, Lyndon James, Tom Abell, Liam-Patterson White, Tom Haines, Mathew Fisher, Jamie Smith, Josh Bohannon, Ollie Robinson, Jack Carson, Josh Tongue, Nathan Gilchrist, Sam Cook, Tom Harley.
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