Hashan Tillakaratne to lead in Gopalan trophy matches

Sri Lanka test cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne who was recently found guilty of having abused and threatened former Sri Lanka cricketer and selector Sidath Wettimuny was picked as captain of the Colombo District Cricket Association (CDCA) for their forthcoming Gopalan trophy matches against Tamil Nadu later this month.

The CDCA whilst choosing Tillakaratne to captain in the 4-day match starting at the SSC grounds on September 25, and the three one-day games on September 20 and 21 (at R. Premadasa Stadium) and September 23 (CCC grounds), also named two separate squads of 21 and 22 players respectively for the two types of matches.

All-rounder Tilan Samaraweera was picked as vice-captain for both matches. Tamil Nadu are scheduled to arrive on September 19 to play in four matches for the Gopalan trophy, a series which will recommence after a long lapse.

Colombo District CA squad for 4-day match: Hashan Tillakaratne (captain), Tilan Samaraweera (vice-captain), Duleep Samaraweera, Chandika Hathurusingha, Michael van Dort, Lanka de Silva, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Priyankara Wickremasinghe, Ruchira Perera, Hemantha Boteju, Dinuk Hettiaratchi, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Prasanna Jayawardene, Malintha Warnapura, Jehan Mubarak, Dinusha Fernando, Rangana Herath, Ian Daniel, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Malintha Gajanayake.

Colombo District CA squad for the three one-day games: Hashan Tillakaratne (captain), Tilan Samaraweera (vice-captain), Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardana, Russel Arnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Erik Upashantha, Hemantha Boteju, Dinuk Hettiaratchi, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Malintha Warnapura, Jehan Mubarak, Dinusha Fernando, Rangana Herath, Ian Daniel, Pradeep Hewage.