Dav Whatmore reflects on the value of A team cricket

Dav Whatmore National Coach

The triangular series against India and New Zealand, who were able to select Daniel Vettori and Dion Nash for the tour after the pair passed fitness tests last week, is drawing ever closer and the excitement is starting to build. It is not just the senior squad, however, that are preparing for the future: the youth squads are busy practicing and the A team is taking on Pakistan in an unofficial three-match Test series.

With the first-class season in Sri Lanka now finished, this is a golden period for training and there are few better ways to prepare for the rigours of international cricket than playing an A series against a competitive team like Pakistan.

I am a great fan of A team cricket. It provides the selectors with a clearer indication of which new players have what it takes to succeed at the senior level and gives those younger players valuable experience at a higher standard of cricket to which they are normally accustomed, reducing the gap between first class and full international cricket.

Indeed, in recent times it has been a useful feeder system. The likes of Russel Arnold, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Kaushalya Weereratne, Dilhara Fernando, Indika de Saram, and Avishka Gunawardene were all selected after impressive performances during A tours. This time the likes of Sajeewa Weerakoon, Ishara Amarasinghe, Michael Vandort, Chamara Silva and Akalanka Ganegama all have an opportunity to stake their claim.

Some players have fallen by the wayside; that is unfortunate, but completely natural. The cream, however, should rise to the top. The fact that so many have migrated up into the national team should leave the youngsters in no doubt: A team selection represents a golden opportunity to further their careers.

An A tour also provide an ideal opportunity for national team players to have a decent knock or bowl. If they are slightly out of touch or lacking in match practice then it can become an ideal vehicle for recapturing their form. Thus, for example, Kumar Sangakkara, made good use of his chance in Dambulla last week by scoring a half-century in the second innings. Of course, you have to make sure that you don't crowd out the young talent.

Players are not the only ones to benefit. First class umpires too can benefit immensely from the experience of officiating in unofficial Test Matches and One-Day Internationals. They are exposed to greater pressure than they are in the Premier League and that helps them prepare better for their first ODI.

The senior teams preparations are starting to gather pace. Training has, however, been hampered slightly by the Mercantile tournament. With most of the guys playing at the weekend we have had to be sensitive to the needs of individuals. Thus, for example, we have probably not quite done as much running as we would have liked.

That tournament is now drawing to a close and that will allow us to raise the tempo of out training. Next week we will increase the number of net sessions and we hope to have a three-day training camp soon, preferably in Galle where we are playing a Test Match and may now play two ODI's too.

Injuries have also hampered preparations slightly, though fortunately there has been nothing serious to date. The long-term injuries have nearly healed and Kontouri has been attending to the various niggles. Fingers crossed we will all be fighting fit in four-weeks time.