By Dhammika Ratnaweera
At a time, when the chairman of national cricket selectors is lamenting for the lack of a quality second string of players, Sri Lanka A team coach Avishka Gunawardena said that he hopes to use the home series against Ireland as to produce potential players for the national team.
Former aggressive opener Gunawardena, who is now given the task of coaching Sri Lanka A team said that he had got a well-balanced squad to face the Irishmen, but his main objective is to prepare the players to fit in the national squad.”Winning and losing would be a part of the series, but my aim is to prepare the players for the next level” said Avishka Gunawardena.
The A team coach said that they had just concluded a successful tournament winning Emerging Asia cup and players like skipper Ashan Priyanhjan, his deputy Angelo Perera and Milinda Siriwardena are senior players with lots of experience to play in this tournament.
The series will start with a four day match on Saturday the 5th at the SSC grounds and the second four day match will commence on 13th at the Sooriyawewa International Stadium. “It is important that we play the matches at international venues and that atmosphere makes the difference for the players to reach the next level. ” said coach Gunawardena who added that his players are trained and prepared to play any type of wicket, whether it is spin friendly or bouncy.
Following the two four-day games, the two teams will play five match 50 over matches commencing from 19th with Upul Tharanga leading the Sri Lanka team.
Caption
Sri Lanka A team skipper Ashan Priyanjan with Irish captain Harry Tector posing with the trophy. Also in the picture Sri Lanka A team coach Avishka Gunawardena.
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