The Hindu : Sri Lanka A keen to excel in India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 17, 2003

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Sport - Cricket

Sri Lanka A keen to excel in India

By Our Special Correspondent

Sri Lanka `A' captain, Naveed Nawaz (left) with coach, H. Davapriya, at a press conferance in Mumbai prior to the team's daparture to Rajkot. It takes on India u-19 in a three-day match.

Mumbai Nov. 16. After a not so successful tour of South Africa last month, a Sri Lanka `A' team led by Naveed Nawaz left for Rajkot on Sunday evening for a three-day match against the India under-19 team.

Thereafter the tourists will play three Tests against a strong India `A' team at Ahmedabad, Pune and at the Brabourne Stadium, Cricket Club of India, Mumbai.

They will also feature in the Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) three-nation limited overs internationals to be played in Kolkata from December 14 to 21. The other two teams will be the `A' teams of India and Pakistan.

Nawaz has taken over the mantle of captaincy from Russell Arnold who has been selected for the one-day international series against England at home. Nawaz has played one Test match against Bangladesh and is keen to earn more Test caps. But at present his priority is to excel in India.

He said his team is looking forward to gaining experience and exposure in Indian conditions. "The idea is to compete against the India `A' team. The tour will provide a chance for all of us to perform well and knock the doors of the national team. It also helps to groom young players and get used to pressure,'' Nawaz said at a Press conference at the Hyatt Regency near the Mumbai International Airport.

Apart from Nawaz, there are five more in the 15-member squad who have played international matches for the Sri Lankan national team.

They are Jehan Mubarak, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Prasanna Jayawardane, Ranganna Herath and Lanka de Silva. After this Test series against India A, Herath is likely to picked for the Test series against England.

Following his good performance in South Africa Michael Vandort has been picked for the one-day series against England.

The Sri Lanka `A' team lost 1-2 to the South Africa `A' team in the one-day international series and lost one Test match. But it thrashed its Kenyan counterparts 5-0.

Coach H. Devapriya who has played competitive cricket for Colombo Cricket Club said that `A' tour programmes keep the second string players busy and motivated. "Morever they get an opportunity to play in different conditions. We will be going to Zimbabwe after the India tour.''

After thanking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for playing host to his team manager Nuski Mohamed said: "These tours have become very important in the current context where the game is being dealt with professionally at all levels and on all aspects. It has become incumbent upon the Boards to create opportunities at all levels starting from the under-19.''

Explaining further the purpose of such tours Mr. Mohamed said: "It creates awareness about fitness levels and experience pressure.

It also cultivates work ethics and team spirit. One cannot meet these demands straightaway in a Test match. It's all a matter of preparing and building a team at the highest level professionally.

A part of the money that is earned from national team's engagements is used for the `A' tours. This year the Sri Lankan Board has organised half a dozen `A' team tours.''

Sri Lanka `A' team: Naveed Nawaz (captain), Ian Daniel, Nuwan Shiroman, Jehan Mumbarak, Lanka de Silva, Kaushalya Weeraratne, C. Mudalige, T. Kandamby, Omesh Wijesiriwardane, T. Paranbhithane, Anushka Pollonowita, Prasanna Jayawardane, Ranganna Herath, L. Malinga, Tharanga Lakshitha; Coach: H. Devapriya, Manager: Nuski Mohamed, Physio: C. J. Cleark.

Tour programme: Nov. 18-20: v India Under-19, Rajkot; Nov. 23-26, Ist Test, Ahmedabad; Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2nd Test, Pune; Dec. 6-9, 3rd Test, CCI, Mumbai; Dec. 14-21, ACF LOI tournament, Kolkata.

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