Three uncapped Sri Lankan players named for Test (17 February 1999)

17 February 1999

Three uncapped Sri Lankan players named for Test

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

The national cricket selectors named three uncapped players in a squad of 14 for Sri Lanka's opening match of the Asian Test championships against India at the SSC grounds on February 24.

However, of the three who have all appeared in one-day internationals for their country, only two are likely to play - fast bowlers Ruchira Perera and Erik Upashantha.

The third, left-handed opener Avishka Gunawardana may get an opportunity to makes his Test debut if Marvan Atapattu does not recover sufficiently from a groin injury. Atapattu suffered the injury when he fell while fielding in the last game of the Carlton and United world series cup against Australia at Melbourne last week and, Sri Lanka physio Alex Kountouri said that his chances of playing in the Test are about 50-50.

"It's not a bad injury as such because Marvan didn't really come off the field. But we cannot take any chances with the World Cup around. There's no point trying to push him," said Kountouri. Atapattu in fact reported for training yesterday and had a light jog.

Sri Lanka are already without two of their prime players, opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan - both due to injuries.

Jayasuriya is recovering from a broken forearm and Muralitharan has undergone an operation in his troublesome bowling arm, a result of an injury he suffered in Sharjah last year.

Russel Arnold, the NCC left-hander has been recalled to replace Jayasuriya, while Muralitharan's spot will be a toss up between his club bowler Niroshan Bandaratilake and NCC off-spinner Ruwan Kalpage.

There is also a likelihood that left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas maybe be sidelined and his place given to all-rounder Chandika Hathurusingha, who can seam the ball around in favourable conditions.

The SSC pitch is expected to be favourable for seam bowlers, and Sri Lanka are likely to go into the Test with a 3-1 combination.

Age Tests

A. Ranatunga, c (SSC) 35 82 P.A. de Silva, vc (NCC) 33 74 M.S. Atapattu (SSC) 28 20 R.P. Arnold (NCC) 25 3 D.P.M. Jayewardene (SSC) 21 6 H.P. Tillekeratne (NCC) 31 53 R.S. Kaluwitharana (Colts) 29 24 W.P.U.J.C. Vaas (Colts) 25 26 R.L. Perera (SSC) 22 - K.E.A. Upashantha (Colts) 26 - M.R.C.N. Bandaratilake (TU) 23 3 U.C. Hathurusingha (Moors SC) 30 24 R.S. Kalpage (NCC) 29 10 D.A. Gunawardana (SSC) 21 -

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