News

Academy squad heads for Sharjah

A 14-man Sri Lanka academy squad - called the Development Emerging Team - has departed for a short tour to Sharjah

Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin
01-Dec-2004
A 14-man Sri Lanka academy squad - called the Development Emerging Team - has departed for a short tour to Sharjah. The tour will include three one-dayers and two two-day matches against the United Arab Emirates national team between December 2 and 11.
Sri Lanka's academy - previously called the Sony Max Academy but now referred to as the National Development Centre in a recent media release - was started in 2003 after the development of a special training centre at Premadasa International Stadium.
The academy runs for approximately six months each year and is currently looked after by the head coach, Jerome Jayaratne, who is also assisted by the cricket board's specialist bowling, batting and fielding coaches.
The cricketers are usually selected soon after finishing school, although slightly older promising players are also admitted for an intensive programme that includes off-field training, from advice on handling the media to computer studies, in addition to specialist cricket coaching and fitness training.
Full squad Harsha Eranga Vithane (capt), Amila Sadaruwan Manana Dewage, Tuan Mohamed Ishan Mutaliph, Chanaka Gimhana Wijesinghe, Gihan Trevor de Silva, Damith Indika Ginewela Dewage, Rachinda Dunil Kumar Abeydeera, Chanaka Asanga Welagedara Udawalawve Mahim Bandaralage, Chaminda Wijaya Kumara Vidanapathirana, Gangabada Arachchige Chinthaka Rasanga Perera, Kanchana Deshapria Gunewardena, Jeremy Christopher Rodrigo Saverymuthapulle, Udara Waruna Hewa Wellalage, Dushan Dinushri Nirmal Wickremarathne