22 October 1998
Sri Lanka: Team leaves for Dhaka
by Sa'adi Thawfeeq
Day-long search, but no new faces
Sri Lanka recalled batsman Roshan Mahanama, and left-arm fast bowlers
Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa for the nine-nation 400,000 dollar Wills
knockout one-day tournament termed the mini-World Cup, starting in
Dhaka on Saturday, where there is no place for losers.
The national selectors deliberated for over a day adjourning their
meeting twice before finally filling in the slots to make the final
14.
All three players failed to make the successful tour to England.
Mahanama was left out on poor form, while Vaas and Zoysa were
recovering from injuries.
Between the England tour and now, these players have done nothing
outstanding to warrant selection. But the circumstances are such that
their inclusion to Dhaka have become a necessity.
Mahanama, over whose exclusion for England created a rather
unwarranted furore picks himself on experience. The form of two young
batsmen who replaced him for the England tour, Mahela Jayawardene and
Russel Arnold, have not been up to expectations. Thus, the return of
Mahanama despite the only innings of significance he has played since
being dropped was the 20 he scored in the practice game on Monday.
However, the selectors are satisfied that he has shown good touch
during his brief occupation of the crease. His experience and
outstanding fielding were the plus factors that weighed in favour of
him.
Hard-hitting left-hander Avishka Gunawardana takes Arnold's place as
the third opener in the team. Although he has to work hard on his
fielding, Gunawardana picked himself on his batting form shown in the
Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.
The return of Vaas was anticipated. Having come to England on the
latter half of the tour, and practiced with the national players at
the nets, Vaas showed that he had fully recovered from his ankle
operation and all what he lacked was match fitness.
The practice games arranged by the Cricket Board for his and other
players' benefit did not prove to be beneficial due to the inclement
weather which allowed only one match to be completed.
The injury to Suresh Perera who has aggravated his groin during an
under 23 match for SSC, paved the way for the return of the lanky
Zoysa.
The most exciting fast bowling prospect is still not 100 percent fit
on the field, but his bowling has been a source of inspiration to his
team mates. Team physio Alex Kountouri has given the all clear sign to
play Zoysa, whose presence is primarily required in Australia and in
England next year when Sri Lanka defend the World Cup. However, the
opinion amongst those who are close to Zoysa, is that he is twice as
good a better bowler than most of his colleagues, even if half fit.
All rounder Kumara Dharmasena will be on trial in this tournament.
Recent form has proved that he has moreover been lucky to be in the
national squad even with mediocre performances. The recent tour to
England showed the decline in form of this all-rounder who has
survived largely on his fighting qualities.
The pitches in Dhaka are expected to be a heart break for bowlers
after the initial hour and it will be a test of fitness for bowlers
like Vaas and Zoysa and skill for Dharmasena.
The team left in the early hours of today for Dhaka.
The tournament opens on Saturday (October 24) with New Zealand meeting
Zimnbabwe. The winners of this tie will qualify to play world
champions Sri Lanka in the second quarter-final on October 26. The
other quarter-final games are : October 25 : England v South Africa,
October 28 : Australia v India, and October 29 : Pakistan v West
Indies. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 30 and 31 and the
final, for November 1. All matches will take place at the Dhaka
Stadium and played on a knockout basis.
Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle and former England batsman
Raman Subba Row will be the ICC match referees for the tournament
which is expected to raise funds for the development of the game
globally.
A Ranatunga (SSC) (c) 34 244
PA de Silva (NCC) (vc) 33 241
ST Jayasuriya (B'field) 29 164
RS Kaluwitharana (Colts) 28 96
MS Atapattu (SSC) 27 50
DA Gunawardana (NCC) 21 2
RS Mahanama (B'field) 32 195
HP Tillekeratne (NCC) 31 165
WPUCJ Vaas (Colts) 24 89
GP Wickremasinghe (SSC) 27 96
DNT Zoysa (SSC) 20 3
M Muralitharan (Tamil Union) 26 99
HDPK Dharmasena (B'field) 27 88
UU Chandana (Tamil Union) 26 37
Manager: Ranjit Fernando
Coach: Roy Dias
Physio: Alex Kountouri
Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)