DDS to lead 50-overs; Kamindu 4-dayers for Aussie ‘A’ tour

Sri Lankan national allrounder Dhananjaya De Silva has been named Sri Lanka ' A' team 50- over skipper for their tour versus the Australian ‘A’ starting this Wednesday. De Silva who failed to earn a place in the national T20 squad will, however play the two 50- over games along with Niroshan Dickwella who was also axed from the T20 side.

Oshada Fernando is also among the 20- players named for the two 50-over games.

In the meantime, for the four- dayer, his fellow national cap Kamindu Mendis has been entrusted with captaincy.

For mer U19 skipper Dunith Wellalage, enjoying an impressive form and delivering frequently, has been promoted duly to the 50-over squad. Dozens of others also has been named after good show in the Emerging Tour of England, concluding Major Inter- club T20 and National Super League.

The tourists arrived in the island, in the early hours of yesterday to play in two OneDayers and as many four-day games against Sri Lanka “A”, starting their business with the first 50- over match at the SSC, this Wednesday (8).

This sojourn stay by the ‘A’ team, will be the first assignment for hosts ‘A’ team coach Avishka Gunawardena, promoted to take over the team, only for the second time.

Prior to this, he tasted quite a successful run with the Lankan U-19’s.

The ‘A’ team also find themselves in the presence of their senior team, in a little over a month- long stay. It is said, based on the performances of the junior’s during the tour itself, promotions and drafts will be made to their national team.

While the ‘A’ team touched down yesterday, the national team kept on arriving in different batches, and will keep their respective counterparts busy with many games to be played, concurrently.