Sri Lanka emerging team should do well in England says Lakshan
We have a well balanced side and expect to do well in the England cricket series said Sri Lanka emerging team T-20 skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan.
Sri Lankan emerging team comprising 18 players is expected to play three four day games followed by three T- 20 games in this England series which will commence from May 6. The Emerging team departed yesterday to take part in this cricket series which is very vital for the youngsters to get the much needed exposure.
The 23 year old all rounder Lakshan further said ” We had nearly one month training to focus on this tour. However due to new year festival for nearly one week we l missed practices.The head coach Ruwan Kalpage and Chamila Gamage the fast bowling coach and batting coach Malinda Warnapura worked hard for our success and we have trained hard under their guidance.
The players are very keen to take part in this tournament and all of them were involved in cricket matches during National Super League as well as Major clubs Emerging three day cricket tournament which concluded recently. The players who performed well during those two tournaments has been selected for this tour and their commitment is very high said Dhananjaya Lakshan.
Lakshan who was adjudged best emerging player at the inaugural LPL tournament got a chance to captain the Galle side during the National Super League cricket tournament. Nipun Dhananjaya is named as captain for the four day matches while Lakshan will lead the three T-20 games.
The experienced all rounder Ashen Bandara who played 5 ODI’ s and 4 T- 20′ s is the most experienced player of the Sri Lanka emerging team while Dhananjaya Lakshan played a solitary ODI against England in England. The 23-year-old St Aloysius all rounder Bandara couldn’t play for the National team and this tour give good chance to him to gain a place in the National team in future.
Dhananjaya Lakshan further said I had opportunity to play with National team during our last England tour but unfortunately I was injured (leg injury) and missed T-20 matches and was able to play only ODI. I played my only ODI at Chester – Le Street and I am sure we can get more experience by adjusting to English conditions on this tour.
The opening four day game will commence at Canterbury – Kent from May 6- 9 while second one is from May 13 to 16 at Ageas Bowl – Hampshire. The third four day game from May 20 to 23 at Guildford CC – Surrey and these four day matches are more important to get accustomed to the conditions while T – 20 matches will be played on May 25 at Kia Oval – Surrey,The second T – 20 will be played on May 27 at Cooper ACG – Somerset and final T- 20 will be played on May 29 at Bristol County ground Gloucestershire.
I think all these venues are good to get accustomed to the conditions in England.We have no idea about our opponent teams during this tour but we think we have to play against English county players and is a good experience for us Said Dhananjaya Lakshan.
Dilum Sudeera the highest wicket taker and highest run maker Avishka Perera of the recently concluded Emerging 3 day cricket tournament are among this 18 member squad while Manelka de Silva , Skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan , Nipun Dhananjaya the 4 day skipper and Santhush Gunathileka are key all rounders of this team. Two schoolboys Dunith Wellalage and Yasiru Rodrigo also among the team.
The former Sri Lankan fast bowler Vinothan John will accompany the team as Manager.
Sri Lanka Emerging team for England tour:
Nipun Dhananjaya(Captain -4 day games) ,Dhananjaya Lakshan(Captain- T-20 games ), Lasith Croosepulle, Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Avishka Tharindu, Avishka Perera , Dunith Wellalage, Santhusah Gunatilleka, Amshi de Silva, Nipun Malinga, Udith Madushan, Nipun Ransika, Dilum Sudeera, Ashian Daniel, Manelka de Silva, Yasiru Rodrigo
Ruwan Kalpage (Head coach) Malinda Warnapura ( Batting coach ), Chamila Gamage ( Fast bowling coach ), Vinothan John ( Manager )