Squad for 4-day unofficial tests may include a few Test players

Saturday, 3 June 2023 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With two Tests against Pakistan in new ICC Test Championship in mind Sri Lanka ‘A’ team Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene said that at least two to three Test players may be included in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad to play South Africa ‘A’ in the two-match unofficial 4-day test series commencing at Pallekele Stadium on 12 June.

“We haven’t finalised the ‘test’ squad and it would probably be done once we play the first unofficial ODI on 4 June. The selectors might give two to three players the opportunity to prepare for the Pakistan Test series by including them for the two 4-day unofficial tests because there is no red ball cricket played till then,” said Gunawardene. Currently the Major Club T20 Tournament is on.

Sri Lanka will commence the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (2023-25) by hosting Pakistan for a two-Test series in July.

The arrival of South Africa ‘A’ yesterday marks the second such tour to the country this year. Earlier the England Lions made a tour.

“If we can play at least three ‘A’ team series for a year that will be good, but we also have to keep in mind that we are playing a long domestic season as well,” said Gunawardene. “The last three ‘A’ team tours have been to Sri Lanka. As much as I say that ‘A’ team cricket is important, it is also important for the next level guys to go out of the country and play in different conditions and get that experience as well. When someone goes into the next level he has a lot of experience under his belt and it is easy for the player to go and get settled in the national team.”

“The more ‘A’ team cricket you play is better because you find players. For example, from the ‘A’ team series Nishan Madushka went on and made his Test debut and got a double hundred as well. In the Aussie tour we found Prabath Jayasuriya, then Dilshan Madushanka, the left-arm fast bowler who made his debut after the Aussie ‘A’ tour. ‘A’ team cricket is the one that I can see which is close to international cricket. It is international cricket closest to the next level. That’s where we can bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket. If someone is performing at domestic level, then you get called for ‘A’ team cricket. That’s where you can actually see how good he is.” (ST)