da roleta： That Test players like Avishka Gunawardene, Lanka de Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suresh Perera, Malinga Bandara have been overlooked to giveDhammika Sudarshana, Ian Daniel, Michael Vandort, Sajeewa Weerakoon, andChandana Samarasinghe the chance to
da gbg bet： Saadi Thawfeeq10-Jun-2001The national selectors plonked for youth in naming a squad of 15 players to meet Pakistan ‘A’ in the first of three four-day unofficial ‘Tests’ starting at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on WednesdayThat Test players like Avishka Gunawardene, Lanka de Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suresh Perera, Malinga Bandara have been overlooked to giveDhammika Sudarshana, Ian Daniel, Michael Vandort, Sajeewa Weerakoon, andChandana Samarasinghe the chance to prove themselves, is an indication thatthe selectors are keen to give the borderline players the chance to grab theopportunity afforded them.Although 15 have been named, all-rounders Gayan Wijekoon and MuthumudaligePushpakumara, batsman Upekha Fernando and fast bowler Dinusha Fernando arelikely to be left on the sidelines.Two spinners have been named and chairman of selectors T.B. Kehelgamuwasaid they will, in all probability, be retained for the entire series.Left-arm spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon and right-arm leg-spinner ChandanaSamarasinghe are being given the exposure in this series in an effort to finda spin partner for spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan. Weerakoon has been inoutstanding form this domestic season finishing with the largest haul ofwickets – 79 for BRC in 12 matches.The presence of Kumar Sangakkara as batsman and wicket-keeper has onceagain ruled out the chance of Prasanna Jayawardene staking a claim for a Testplace in the senior side.Jayawardene has not been able to hold a permanent place in any one of thethree clubs he has moved to – NCC, Sebastianites and SSC. The selectors arguethat they cannot select a player if he is not guaranteed a place with his ownclub.Sangakkara is given an opportunity to regain his lost batting form. Inrecent times, the highly talented left-hander has been struggling for runs atinternational level and he gets a chance to redeem himself.Tillekeratne Dilshan is another Test cricketer who is also fighting toretain his place in the senior side. He has been rested from the first ‘Test’and is likely to take over wicket-keeping duties from Sangakkara in the second’Test’ at the NCC.The Pakistan ‘A’ cricketers led by Test batsman Hasan Raza arrived on Sunday to play a series of three unofficial Tests and three unofficial one-day internationals against Sri Lanka ‘A’ during their five-week tour.Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for first unofficial Test: Thilan Samaraweera, captain, SSC, 24 years); Dhammika Sudarshana (Galle CC, 25); Ian Daniel (SSC, 19), Michael Vandort (CCC, 21); Chamara Silva (Panadura SC, 21); Kumar Sangakkara (NCC, 23); Jeevantha Kulatunga (Colts, 27); Sajeewa Weerakoon (BRC, 23); Chandana Samarasinghe (Antonian SC, 23); Ruchira Perera (SSC, 24); AkalankaGanegama (NCC, 20); Dinusha Fernando (Sebastianites, 21); Upekha Fernando(SSC, 21); Gayan Wijekoon (Tamil Union, 24); Muthumudalige Pushpakumara(Colts, 19); Coach – Hemantha Devapriya; Manager – Norton Frederick.
