Sri Lankan news (17 Sep 1996)

Tuesday 17, September 1996

SRI LANKA SPORTS NEWS AT-A-GLANCE

Daily News

CRICKET (Home):

* Sri Lanka is likely to make one change, from the side which won the first Test by innings, for the second Test against Zimbabwe which starts at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place on Wednesday. Informed sources said paceman Ravindra Pushpakumara will be recalled to replace one of the three spinners who played in the first Test. Though Pramodya Wickremasinghe too is considered, his poor form will keep him out of the final X1.

The extra bounce and pace of the SSC pitch will compel the Sri Lanka selectors to include an additional paceman in the side at the expense of a slow bowler. Sri Lanka will be compelled to decide between spinners Jayantha Silva and Kumara Dharmasena. But with Silva`s impressive performance in the first Test, Dharmasena is likely to be dropped to make way for Pushpakumara who will share the new ball with Chaminda Vaas.

* Sri Lanka `A` squad is expected to be named shortly for another important home series. Sri Lanka`s second string cricketers are covered adequately with a West Indies `A` team due to tour Sri Lanka in October/November this year for three four-day `Tests` and an equal number of one-day limited-overs. Sri Lanka `A` pool which include several former national players, is now under training.

* Vice captain Aravinda de Silva, who was adjudged the Player of the Series and the Man of the finals at the recently concluded Singer World Series tournament, continued to head the latest rankings in the 1996/97 CEAT Sri Lankan Cricketer of the Year contest.

De Silva who scored over 300 runs without being out in any of the four innings he played, heads the latest Sri Lanka rankings over Sanath Jayasuriya. In the third place is wicket keeper batsman Romesh kaluwitharana. All international matches - both one day and Tests played until April 30, 1997 will be considered for the next final rankings list.

* President`s College, Maharagama, became champions in the under-17 Division III Singer Trophy Cricket tournament organised by the Sri Lanka School`s Cricket Association when they defeated Sri Sumangala College, Kandy, by eight wickets at BRC grounds.

President`s College, replying to Sri Sumangala`s first innings total of 163 all out, made 173. In the second innings, Sri Sumangala were shot out for 63 runs. President`s College in their second innings scored the required runs losing only two wickets. Shammi Nayanajith the wicket keeper of President`s College was mainly instrumental in their victory taking three catches and two stumpings.

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