by First of three unofficial one-dayers against Lanka `A' begins today
Windies `A' will not have it easy
By SA'ADI THAWFEEQ
Having shown their prowess in the longer game by winning the three-
match series 2-0 (one drawn), West Indies `A' move into the
limited-over version, where they expect to face much tougher
opposition from Sri Lanka `A'.
The first of three in a series of unofficial limited-over encounters
between the two countries commences at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium,
Moratuwa today at 9.30 a.m.
It was clearly proved in the unofficial Test series that Sri Lanka's
batsmen do not have the patience to play long innings at the crease.
The country's domestic cricket structure is such that it caters for
batsmen to make runs in double quick time which suits the one-day game
rather than the longer one, where the priority is for occupation of
the crease.
INTERESTING
In this aspect, West Indies `A' who dominated the `Test' series could
expect stiffer opposition from Sri Lanka `A', which is certain to make
the series an interesting and close contest.
Although West Indies `A' pulled through by three wickets in their
50-over warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Board President's XI at Moors
grounds on Monday, they had to undergo some anxious moments before
winning.
Sri Lanka `A's 14-man squad to face West Indies `A' comprises three
new faces who did not figure in the `Test' series - Sri Lanka all-
rounder Upul Chandana, hard-hitting opening bat Ruvin Peiris and left-
arm spinner Suranga Wijenayake.
Chandana and Peiris are expected to play today, but the same cannot be
said of Wijenayake whose ten overs in the warm-up game cost 51 runs.
The rest of the squad led by Marvan Atapattu have all figured in the
unofficial Test series.
EVENLY BALANCED
The scales are evenly balanced as far as experience goes, with each
team having six players with one-day international experience.
Sri Lanka `A' have Atapattu, Duleep Samaraweera, Chandana, Ruwan
Kalpage, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Pramodya Wickremasinghe and, West
Indies `A', skipper Roger Harper, Cameron Cuffy, Ottis Gibson, Philo
Wallace, Laurie Williams and Stuart Williams.
Generally, matches played in Moratuwa are organised by the five clubs
in the area - Sebastianites, Moratuwa SC, Old Cambrians, Catamarans
and Carlton. But in this instance, the Cricket Board has undertaken
the task of doing that. The Board as a matter of policy, has decided
to let the respective district organisations run the three unofficial
Tests, and for them to run the three unofficial one-day games.
THE TEAMS: SRI LANKA `A' (from): M.S. Atapattu (captain), R. Peiris,
D.P. Samaraweera, M.N. Nawaz, S. Jayantha, U.D. Chandana, S.K.L. de
Silva, R.S. Kalpage, D.P.M. Jayewardene, K.R. Pushpakumara, G.P.
Wickremasinghe, I.S. de Saram, W.G.S. Wijenayake, N. Soysa.
WEST INDIES `A' (from): R.A. Harper (captain), S.C. Williams, P.A.
Wallace, F.L. Reifer, D.R.E. Joseph, T.O. Powell, R.D. Jacobs, L.R.
Williams, R.N. Lewis, O.D. Gibson, S.G.B. Ford, N.B. Francis, C.E.
Cuffy, A. Samaroo, M.V. Nagamootoo.
______________________________________________________________________
Thanks: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net)