Champions Trophy precursor on the road
Chamara Kapugedera - Captain Kandy
With the Champions Trophy tournament in England around the corner, the carrot for optimum performance will be in each and every participant of The Super Provincial 50-overs tournament which is scheduled to tee off at the CCC and NCC grounds this morning.
The final is scheduled for April 30.
As mentioned earlier the Champions Trophy will be in the top of each cricketer who is in the starting line which will consist of four teams. The names were drawn from players who shone during the just concluded district tournament.
Leading the sides are – Dinesh Chandimal (Colombo), Upul Tharanga (Galle), Chamara Kapugedera (Kandy) and Kusal Janith Perera (Dambulla).
Kicking off the tournament will be Colombo taking on Dambulla at the CCC grounds while Galle will take on the Kandy at the NCC Grounds.
The six games from the 9th to the 20th will be day games. Thereafter the six return games would be day-night affairs played at Dambulla and the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Sadeera Samarawickrama, who showed immense talent with a half century against Bangladesh, and a match winning top score of 45 against Pakistan, was instrumental in guiding the Sri Lanka Emerging XI to the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Team Cup 2017 Championship title, as well as tournament Man of the Series Charith Asalanka, are prospective high potential performers.
Former Sri Lanka vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne, who lost his way from the 2016 Australian home tour due to poor form, and Akila Dananjaya, the off spinner representing Galle, who made an impressive wicket taking international debut a few years ago, but faded away since will also be taking part. And interestingly, the tournament while focusing on youngsters will also be a stage for more recognized players to re-establish their capabilities.
Dinesh Chandimal - Captain Colombo
Upul Tharanga - Captain Galle
Kusal Janith -Captain Dambulla
| THE SQUADS: COLOMBO: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dilshan Munaweera, Kithruwan Vithanage, Ashan Priyanjan, Angelo Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Thisara Perera, Kasun Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay and Asalankara Asanka. Manager - Jerry Woutersz Head Coach – Avishka Gunawardena Assistant Coach – Manoj Abeywickrama Bowling Coach – Nuwan Zoysa Physio – Ranjith Nanayakkarawasam. GALLE: Upul Tharanga (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dananjaya De Silva, Sammu Ashan, Yasoda Lanka, Minod Banuka, Chathuranga De Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Vikum Sanjaya, Dasun Shanaka, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne and Malinga Pushpakumara Manager – Varuna Waragoda Head Coach – Hashan Tillekeratne Assistant Coach – Upul Chandana Bowling Coach – Ravindra Pushpakumara Physio – Ajantha Wattegama KANDY: Chamara Kapugedera (Captain), Mahela Udawatte, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sandun Weerakkody, Charith Asalanka, Dilhan Cooray, Hashan Dumindu, Sachith Pathirana, Lahiru Madushanka, Shaminda Eranga, Lahiru Gamage, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Amila Aponso and Ramith Rambukwella. Manager – Sunil Wickramanayake Head Coach – Piyal Wijetunge Assistant Coach – Nuwan Seneviratne Bowling Coach – Chamila Gamage Physio – Brad Robinson  DAMBULLA: Kusal Janith Perera (Captain), Udara Jayasundera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Banuka Rajapaksha, Harsha Cooray, Lahiru Milantha, Milinda Siriwardena, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Lashiru Kumara, Suraj Randiv and Lakshan Sandakan Manager - Vinothan John Head Coach – Sumithra Warnakulasuriya Assistant Coach – Ajith Ekanayake Bowling Coach – Dharshana Gamage Physio – Priyantha Wickremasinghe. |