Indika makes international one-day debut against Aussies today (22 August 1999)

22 August 1999

Indika makes international one-day debut against Aussies today

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Indika de Saram, a product from Matara will make his one-day international debut for Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Aiwa Cup tri-nation one-day tournament against world champions Australia at the Galle Stadium today.

The 25-year-old De Saram will bat in the middle-order left vacant by the absence of the three big guns of Sri Lanka - Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama.

Romesh Kaluwitharana who has either opened the batting or come lower down, is expected to bat at number five with vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene taking the No. 4 spot.

Where Sri Lanka have to decide is the opening batsmen and bowlers' berths. The team has abandoned the pinch-hitting tactics adopted with much success by Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana during the 1996 World Cup campaign. Instead, skipper Jayasuriya is likely to open with either Russel Arnold or Avishka Gunawardana. Whatever the combination, it will be an left-handed opening pair.

The other place that needs to be decided is the fast bowlers between left-armer Nuwan Zoysa and Promodya Wickremasinghe. Whichever way, Sri Lanka will go with a three-pronged seam attack with Chaminda Vaas and Suresh Perera supported by the spin of Muthiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana. Jayasuriya, Arnold and Jayewardene can also contribute.

Of the newcomers who are unlikely to make it to the final 11 for today are Chamara Silva and Nimesh Perera.

Sri Lanka have revamped their one-day side following their disastrous performance in the World Cup where they were knocked out in the first round. They are now in the process of rebuilding their side and one could safely say that this is the beginning of their transitional period.

Chairman of selectors Sidath Wettimuny has stated while picking the squad for the one-day series that their focus was on the next World Cup in South Africa in 2003. Thus, for the young players who have been selected, this is the golden opportunity to put forward their credentials as future cricketers.

For the first time in this country, the Duckworth and Lewis rain-rule will be adopted. The intermittent showers experienced in this part of the country, is likely to bring the rule into play sometime today or tomorrow when Australia meet India.

Sri Lanka and Australia had to skip morning practice due to rain. Both teams were greeted by hot sunshine when they arrived for practice in the afternoon. However there is no guarantee there would be an uninterrupted day's play.

The ground looks in very much better shape than when it was for the Nidahas trophy matches last year where no play took place in the three games scheduled at this venue due to rain. Jayananda Warnaweera the curator has taken a lot of trouble to ensure that minimum play is lost due to poor ground conditions.

A colourful opening ceremony is planned before the commencement of the tournament which will be followed by the captains using a special one edition gold coin for the toss.

SRI LANKA (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Russel Arnolda (or Avishka Gunawardana), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Indika de Saram, Suresh Perera, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Muthiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa (or Pramodya Wickremasinghe).

AUSTRALIA (from): Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Damien Fleming, Adam Dale, Jason Gillespie, Tom Moody, Andrew Symonds.

UMPIRES: Peter Manuel and Asoka de Silva
TV umpire: D.N. Pathirana.

Source :: The Daily News (https://www.lanka.net/lakehouse/)