Two Lankan teams on Indoor cricket tour
View(s):Sri Lanka will field two teams at the World Masters Indoor Cricket Series 2013 which will be held from October 20 to 26 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The World Masters Indoor Cricket Series (WMICS) 2013 will feature seven countries competing in five different categories in men’s and women’s segments.
The WMICS 2013 will have four age categories, namely men’s Over-30, Over-35, Over-40 and Over-45 and the women’s Over-30 segments. Hosts South Africa will feature two teams each from each of the segments while Australia will cover all five segments with a team each competing.
New Zealand and Singapore will field three men’s teams in the Over-30, 40 and 45 while England has confirmed two men’s teams in Over-35 and 45 categories. India will field only a team in the men’s Over-30 category. Sri Lanka will send two teams to compete in the men’s the Over-35 and 40 categories, with optimistic hopes that they could pull off an upset win.
![O 35](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131020/uploads/O-35-300x200.jpg)
The two Lankan teams for the World Masters Indoor Cricket Series: Top Over 35 team and below Over 40 team
“I am very pleased in the way these players have trained under our coach Asela Pathirana. Their commitment to the cause will be deservingly rewarded for their hard work. ” stated Hiran de Mel, the Head of Technical of Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA), who will also head Sri Lankan delegation to South Africa.
The two sides representing Sri Lanka will include a total of 24 players, with vast experience playing the game for many years. Sachithra Siribaddana will lead the Over-35s while Riyaz Madani will be the vice captain. Siribaddana will have the services of Chamika Srimal, Prabath Jayawardene, Palitha Ranmukage, Riyadh
![O 40](http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131020/uploads/O-40-300x200.jpg)
The two Lankan teams for the World Masters Indoor Cricket Series: Top Over 35 team and below Over 40 team
Fowzie, Nishantha Kumara, Shantha Fonseka, Sithila Senaratne, Thushara Lakshitha, Mohammed Sidique and Mithila Rajapakse.
Former S. Thomas’ College cricketer, Sri Lanka Schools hockey and football cap, and experienced campaigner of indoor cricket, Thiran Thenabadu will lead the Under-40s team. He will be assisted by former Royal College cricketer, Sri Lanka poolist, and present national match referee, Nalliah Devarajan. Top contenders of the game such as Susantha de Mel, Priyantha Samaradiwakara, Manoj Perera, Chaminda Rajapakse, Malik Ahamadeen, Asitha Costa, Suwanji Madanayake, Mahesh Wijenayake, Nishantha Mendis and Shammika Meegahapola will be the other players in the team.
The two teams have been training for the past three months under Asela Pathirana, former Sri Lanka indoor cricket captain. Pathirana is confident that his teams will be able achieve something big at this year’s WMICS 2013. Priyankara Wickramaarachchi will be the team’s physical trainer while on tour.
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