Dimuth Karunaratne to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

By M. Shamil Amit

The SLC selectors have appointed SSC left hand batsman Dimuth Karunaratne to lead the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team for both the versions, four day and limited over, tour to South Africa. Kusal Janith will be his deputy and the team comprises six Test players in Chamara Silva, Kaushal Silva, Dhammika Prasad, Kosala Kulasekera, Chamara Kapugedera and Farveez Maharoof.

Dimuth Karunaratne during SL XI’s practice game against England.

Apart from the Test players there are players who have played in the national ODI and T20 team. The team also includes up and coming youngsters Kusal Janith, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Udara Jayasundara and Angelo Perera who is getting a break having represented the Sri Lanka Development XI against England where he made a knock of 85 and 90 in the first and second innings.

Five players Chamara Kapugedera, Udara Jayasundara, Farveez Maharoof, Gihan Rupasinghe and Isuru Udana will replace Chamara Silva, Roshen Silva, Kaushal Silva, Dhammika Prasad and Nilanka Premaratne for the limited over encounters.

The team is due to leave the on June 20 and they will play a three day practice match against Dolphins XI from June 24 to 26. The two unofficial Test matches are scheduled to be played in Kingsmead, Durban.

The first unofficial Test match is due to be played from June 30 to July 3 and the second match from July 7 to 10. The limited over encounters are due to be played on July 13 and 17.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ (Four Day Squad) – Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt), Kusal Janith, Chamara Silva, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Roshen Silva, Sachithra Serasinghe, Kaushal Silva, Dhammika Prasad, Dilruwan Perera, Kanishka Alvitigala, Tharanga Lakshitha, Nilanka Premaratne, Kosala Kulasekera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Angelo Perera.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ (Limited Over Squad) – Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt), Kusal Janith, Chamara Kapugedera, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Udara Jayasundara, Sachithra Perera, Angelo Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Malinda Pushpakuamara, Gihan Rupasinghe, Kosala Kulasekera, Dilruwan Perera, Isuru Udana, Kanishka Alvitigala, Tharanga Lakshitha.