Nawaz to skipper in New Zealand

Thilina Kandamby, the 21-year-old Bloomfield left-hander, has been named as Naveed Nawaz's vice-captain in the 16-member Sri Lanka A team which will tour New Zealand next month.

Kandamby is looked upon as future captaincy material, and has proved to be a thinking man during matches for his club in the Premier Trophy tournament.

Nawaz will lead a team which includes five fast bowlers, an allrounder and a solitary spinner on the five-week tour, in which Sri Lanka A will play a series of three five-day unofficial Tests, and three one-day matches against New Zealand's A team.

The fast bnowlers are Lasith Malinga, Mario Villavarayen, Tharanga Lakshitha, Charitha Buddhika and Dinusha Fernando, with Hasantha Fernando as the fast-bowling allrounder. Dinuk Hettiarachchi, the slow left-armer, is the only recognised spinner.

Prasanna Jayawardene is the only wicketkeeper in the side: in an emergency Chamara Silva may be asked to don the gloves.

The squad, which is awaiting ratification from the Sports Ministry, is: Naveed Nawaz (capt), Thilina Kandamby (vice-capt), Ian Daniel, Shantha Kalavitigoda, Pradeep Hewage, Jehan Mubarak, Bathiya Perera, Chamara Silva, Hasantha Fernando, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Lasith Malinga, Mario Villavarayen, Tharanga Lakshitha, Charitha Buddhika, Dinusha Fernando.

Tour itinerary:
March 3 - Arrival
March 5-7 - v Otago at Alexandra
March 11-15 - 1st "Test" at Queenstown
March 19-23 - 2nd "Test" at Lincoln
March 27-31 - 3rd "Test" at Christchurch
April 3 - 1st ODI at Lincoln
April 5 - 2nd ODI at Lincoln
April 7 - 3rd ODI at Lincoln
April 8 - Departure