Sri Lanka A out to square one day series against Aussies
Sri Lanka ‘A’ will meet Australia ‘A’ in their second ODI which is scheduled to be played today (8) at the SSC grounds, commencing at 10 am. The first game between the two teams held last Wednesday at the same venue Australia ‘A had a comfortable seven-wicket win in a high-scoring game.
However, in today’s game Sri Lanka ‘A’ led by Dhananjaya de Silva is expected to win and equal the series. The only two ODIs in this series is very vital for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ players as opponent Australia ‘A’ team have very experienced players like Skipper Alex Carey, Cameron Green who scored a brilliant century in the first game while players like Henry Hunt, Josh Phillippe Matthew Renshaw, Aaron Hardie, Nic Maddinsonn, Mark Steketee, leg spinner Tasnveer Sanga and Todd Murphy the 21-year-old off-spinner all these players have Big Bash league experience.
Most of the players of the Australia ‘A’ team are involved with Australia Premier league and Big bash league tournaments while few of them have represented the National team. Playing this type of Australia ’A’ team give more exposure for Sri Lanka ‘A’ team players. Their standard is higher than our cricket structure and this is a very good opportunity for Sri Lanka ‘A team said a Senior official of the SLC.
Australia A’ team is also expected to make a few changes for today’s game to give match exposure while Sri Lanka ’A’ is packed with experienced players like Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella also have a big responsibility in this game. The wicket-keeper Dickwella was not up to the expectations during the first ODI scoring 10 runs in 16 balls.
Dickwella who couldn’t find a place for the ongoing Australia series is fighting for a place for the next ODI series followed by test series. Oshada Fernando scored 65 while Dhananjaya de Silva (68) and Ashen Bandara (48) made useful contributions for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the opening game while youngest player of the team 19 year old Dunith Wellalage who scored a fighting knock of 33 and took 2 for 55 finished with the best all round performances of the team. Wellalage is the most promising player and he has good potential to reach National
level very soon. Kamindu Mendis who scored a fighting knock of 42, unfortunately, missed his well-deserved half-century in the first game is among the runs during recent tournaments and he hopes to repeat his performances.