Sri Lanka A team led by promising all rounder from SSC Nipun Dhananjaya is expected to put up a good challenge against visiting England A team in their first four day unofficial cricket test at the Galle Stadium.
This is going to be a good test for the Sri Lanka second string team who are playing this series before the important New Zealand cricket tour which will commence on March 8.
The Sri Lanka cricket President XI led by all rounder Sahan Arachchige defeated England Lions by four wickets in their three day warm up game.
The visitors gave a good batting display in the first innings when they piled up a massive 413 for 8 wickets and opener Alex Lees the 24 year old Dhuham batter who has played ten test matches scored a fluent century. SLC President’s XI were 355 for 9 wickets and Opener Nishan Madushka played anchor role to score superb 150 and retired while Lahiru Udara hit 94. England Lions took the first inning lead but Sri Lanka President XI fought back strongly to win the game with four wickets in hand.
After the three day warm up game England Lions team and Sri Lanka A team moved to Galle for the two four day match series. They already did two day training sessions while Sri Lanka A team had a rest day yesterday
The inform batter Nishan Madushka of Ragama CC together with experienced Oshada Fernando who scored a double century at the opening National super league game will open the batting today while Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando,Skipper Nipun Dhananjaya,Sahan Arachchige are the top order batters of the side. all rounder Sahan Arachchige and young Dunith Wellalage will strengthen the middle order.
The experienced leg spinner Lasith Embuldeniya who took match bag of ten wickets in the opening NSL game will be the key spinner of the side while off spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe also fighting for a place. Former Richmond College paceman Amshi de Silva is expected to open the attack on his home grounds while promising Milan Ratnayake and Isitha Wijesundara also fighting to share the new ball.
The Sri Lanka A team head coach Avishka Gunawardena is very confident about his team and they are well prepared for the game while Assistant coach Thilina Kandamby and bowling coach Sajeewa Weerakoon the former St Aloysius Galle leggie and newly appointed manager Vinothan John give support.
Meanwhile 26 year old Hasseb Hammed will lead the England Lions side which is coached by former England cricketer Ian Bell well supported by former spinner Graham Swan.
Skipper Hameed has 10 international caps with England so far. He has previously captained England at the Under-19 level. He was also part of the England squad in the previous Ashes series. Last year, he had a wonderful summer with Nottinghamshire in the English county season. He scored 1,235 runs at an average of 58.80, with four centuries and a top score of 196 The opener Alex Lees,Jack Haynes and Lyndon James are top batters of the side while Ollie Robinson,Jack Carson,Liam Patterson are the key bowlers of the side. England Lions are hoping to get good practice in this subcontinent wickets as Galle wicket is more favourable for the spinners while Lasith Embuldeniya who has a fine record at Galle is going to be a threat for visitors.
Sri Lanka A squad: Nipun Dhananjaya (Capt), Nishan Madushka, Oshada Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Ratnayake, Amshi de Silva, Isitha Wijesundara, Lakshitha Manasinghe.
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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