Series with Ireland ‘A’ chance to prepare players for next level - Gunawardene | Daily News
First 4-day unofficial test at SSC today

Series with Ireland ‘A’ chance to prepare players for next level - Gunawardene

Avishka Gunawardene Sri Lankan ‘A’ team coach (right) addressing the media at the SLC headquarters. Ireland ‘A’ team coach Peter Johnston, Ireland ‘A’ captain Harry Tector and Sri Lanka ‘A’ captain Ashan Priyanjan are also present.
Avishka Gunawardene Sri Lankan ‘A’ team coach (right) addressing the media at the SLC headquarters. Ireland ‘A’ team coach Peter Johnston, Ireland ‘A’ captain Harry Tector and Sri Lanka ‘A’ captain Ashan Priyanjan are also present.

“We want to produce players for the next level in the national side and winning or losing is not important during these matches,” said Sri Lankan ‘A’ team coach Avishka Gunawardene at the media conference held ahead of the cricket series against Ireland ‘A’ who are on a tour of the country.

“We have a well balanced side and we hope to do well during the series. All the players are ready to take up the challenge against Ireland ‘A’,” he said.

Harry Tactor will lead the Ireland ‘A’ team with Peter Johnston as coach.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ skipper Ashan Priyanjan, vice-captain Angelo Perera and Milinda Siriwardana are the three seniors picked for the first four-day unofficial test which commences at the SSC grounds today. The second four-day unofficial test is scheduled for Hambantota from January 13.

“Hambantota stadium and SSC are two International venues that have a good atmosphere with all facilities for the ‘A’ team players,” said Gunawardene who did fine job with the Emerging team helping them to win the Asia Cup recently.

“The players did really well during the recent ‘A’ team series and they will take the confidence into the Ireland series. However this time a few newcomers will also get a chance to play for the ‘A’ team. These days all players are involved in the domestic tournament and they are in good form. We don’t know the opponents so much but we hope to play well. All the players are ready to play on any type of wicket whether it is spin or bounce it doesn’t matter for my players,” he said.

Skipper Priyanjan said, “I couldn’t play Test matches so far and this 4 day match practice is good to enter the Test team. This is a good opportunity for the ‘A’ team players to show their talent.”

Sri Lanka ‘A’ will play Ireland ‘A’ in five one-day games after the two ‘tests’ commencing January 19. The one-day team will be captained by Upul Tharanga with Milinda Siriwardana as his deputy.

SRI LANKA ‘A - IRELAND ‘A’ CRICKET ITINERARY

5-8 January - 1st four day unofficial test at SSC grounds

13-16 January - 2nd four day unofficial test at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota

19 January - 1st ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota

21 January - 2nd ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota

24 January - 3rd ODI at SSC

26 January - 4th ODI at SSC

29 January - 5th ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium.


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