Sri Lanka has named an experienced squad on Monday for the forthcoming A team’s tour of South Africa at the beginning of September.
The line-up suggests that selectors want to use the tour as a try-out ahead of England’s Sri Lankan tour later in the year.
”Depending on their performances, it is quite likely that some players in the A team will be called in the test squad,” cricket board spokesperson Ray Illangakoon said.
Batsman Russel Arnold, recently axed from the national side, will captain the 15-member squad that includes 11 players with international experience.
Besides Arnold, batsmen Naveed Nawaz, Avishka Gunawardene, Michael Vandort and Jehan Mubarak will have a chance on the South African tour to win back places back in the national team for the three-test and three one-day series against England in October and November.
Left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa, dropped after a lacklustre tour of England last year, right-arm paceman Dharshana Gamage and slow left-arm spinner Rangana Herath will also be trying to regain their lost places in the national side.
Sri Lanka A will tour South Africa in September and October. No fixed dates are immediately available. — Sapa-AP
Sri Lanka A squad: Russel Arnold (captain), Naveed Nawaz, Avishka Gunawardene, Ian Daniel, Jehan Mubarak, Michael Vandort, Prasanna Jayawardene, Lanka de Silva, Thilan Thushara Mirando, Dharshana Gamage, Nuwan Zoysa, Omesh Wijesiriwardene, Kaushalya Weereratne, Rangana Herath and Janaka Gunaratne.