Kusal Perera called up to Sri Lanka Test squad

Tuesday, 24 May 2016 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has replaced injured seamer Dhammika Prasad in Sri Lanka’s Test squad and will travel to England as soon as “visa formalities are taken care of”, SLC announced.

Perera had been the Test side’s wicket keeper and No. 7 batsman before he was provisionally suspended for failing a doping Test, in December. The charges against him have since been withdrawn by the ICC, and he has been eligible to play international cricket since 11 May.

Kusal Perera

Simon Willis appointed High Performance Manager at SLC

Kent Cricket high performance director Simon Willis has been appointed high performance manager at Sri Lanka Cricket. The wicketkeeper-batsman will take up his appointment overlooking the National Academy from 1 June, Sri Lanka Cricket said yesterday.

Simon Willis

Speaking about the appointment, the 42 year old Englishman says “I am very grateful to Sri Lanka Cricket for offering me this exciting new opportunity … I see it as an exciting time to get involved with Sri Lanka Cricket and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together”

The appointment of a High Performance Manager is just one of the progressive strides taken by SLC in consultation with the newly appointed Cricket Advisory Committee. Sri Lanka Cricket has focused on high performance and definitive delivery from the level of the Youth squads, and Willis’ appointment is a preliminary step in that endeavor.

Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said his committee had chosen Perera to replace a bowler because Sri Lanka “have enough bowlers in the squad”. In addition to the four frontline bowlers and two allrounders who played in the Headingley Test, seamer Suranga Lakmal and offspinner Dilruwan Perera sit in reserve.

“Kusal will join the team as soon as possible and acclimatise so he can do some serious work with the bat,” Jayasuriya added.

It is unlikely - though not impossible - that Perera will be available for the Test at Chester-le-Street which begins on Friday. He will almost certainly be in contention for the third Test at Lord’s, which does not begin until 9 June.

Perera has been training at SLC’s national academy at Khettarama since 13 May. Having begun his career as a limited-overs specialist, Perera had made a bright start to his Test career, hitting two rapid fifties in five innings so far. If he is selected, Sri Lanka also have the option of relieving Dinesh Chandimal of the gloves.