Sri Lanka ‘A’ make seven changes for SA ‘A’ unofficial test series

Spinner Lasith Embuldeniya turns his arm over at practice

• First ‘test commences at Pallekele today

Sri Lanka ‘A’ has made seven changes to their 16-member squad for the two-match 4-day unofficial test series against South Africa ‘A’ beginning at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today. The second unofficial test is scheduled at the P. Sara Oval from 19-22 June.

White ball players Ashen Bandara, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Isitha Wijesundara, Lakshan Sandakan and Nimesh Vimukthi have been replaced by Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ team coach Avishka Gunawardene sees the two unofficial tests as a preparation for some of the players for the two Test series of the World Test Championship against Pakistan in July.

“There are two Tests coming up against Pakistan so players like (Lasith) Embuldeniya, (Lakshitha) Manasinghe, Praveen (Jayawickrama) and Ramesh Mendis all these four spinners will probably get a game and it’s almost like a preparation for the Test series. The selectors might give (Nishan) Madushka a break after this game because he played in all three ODIs. We are trying to play him in the first ‘test’ and give him a break in the second one,” said Gunawardene. “Milan Ratnayake has been in the international team but not got a chance to play. It’s a good opportunity for him to come out and show his capabilities and push for a place in the national side.”

“South Africa ‘A’ is a pretty strong side with eight national caps and they have a very good fast bowling unit. We are playing in Pallekele, a very spin friendly track with a bit of bounce more than the other tracks. All and all more than the result it’s a very good experience for the young side playing against good opposition which is what ‘A’ team cricket is about.”

The 2-1 loss in the unofficial ODI series, Gunawardene said he was not disappointed with the result because all three games were fought hard and none of the teams had it easy.

“All three games could have gone either way. The first match we got 264 and they were 104-5, then (Dewald) Brevis came and made a brilliant 98* and took the game away. The second game we bowled brilliantly and we won it quite convincingly. Even in the last game they got us onto the back foot four wickets down for seven, but we somehow got to 172. They were 79-4 but managed to scrape through.”

“I am not really disappointed with the results. The good thing is it’s a very good opposition. We played a fairly young side and it was a good experience for them facing strong opposition. They bat till number nine and some of the batsmen have played quite a lot of international cricket for their country. We had the highest run-getter in the series and the highest wicket-taker who is a fast bowler in local conditions against the South African batting unit. Those are really good plus points.”

Madushka finished with an aggregate of 176 (avg. 88.00) with one century and one fifty, while left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka took nine wickets (avg. 12.33).

“One of the reasons why we played Madushanka in this series is you can see he has the capability and the ability to score big ones and the ability to change gears when he wants to,” said Gunawardene. “All this time the selectors concentrated on him on the red ball, but we always knew he had the ability with the white ball also, and he has proved it. The selectors now have another option.”

“Madushanka was a bit out of form and that’s why he was probably left out and brought back into the ‘A’ team. He has slowly found rhythm. All these days he has been playing with the white ball. We are considering him for tomorrow’s 4-day ‘test’ and hopefully he is getting his rhythm back. We like to see him taking wickets and bowling very efficiently.”

“Sahan Arachchige played a couple of good knocks and looked to be in good touch. I expected a bit more from Lasith Croospulle because he performed well against the England Lions. He failed in all three games against South Africa ‘A’. Hopefully he will get his form back given the opportunity in the 4-dayers. Ashen Bandara looked good but he needs to convert his starts into big ones. We all see him as a brilliant fielder, but actually he is coming into the eleven as a middle order bat. I like to see him converting his 30s and 40s into big ones.”

Meanwhile, South Africa ‘A’ have added 17-year-old left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka to the squad to replace injured Lutho Sipamla. Sipamla has been ruled out with a back injury. Maphaka was capped five times by South Africa U-19 in 2022. (ST)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ Squad for Unofficial Test Series

Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nipun Dananjaya (Captain), Dilshan Madushanka, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Samarakoon, Lahiru Udara, Janith Liyanage, Lasith Croospulle, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara.