Nipun Dhanajaya and Kamindu Mendis have been named four-day and one-day captains at the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team series against England Lions which will commence on January 31st at Galle International Cricket Stadium. The second four-day unofficial Test will be worked off from February 7 to 10 at the same venue, Galle.

Nipun Dhananjaya the former National under 19 team captain who was also a former St. Joseph Vaz, Wennappuwa skipper, currently plays for SSC and former Sri Lanka Emerging team captain for the last England tour will be the four-day captain while Kamindu Mendis, former Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Richmond College Galle skipper will lead the three ODI series against England Lions which will commence from February 15 at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODI will be held on February 18 and 21 at the same venue, R. Premadasa International Stadium.

Mendis the 24-year-old all-rounder is the most experienced player of this 22-member Sri Lanka squad having previous international experience in all three formats. He had a chance to play a solitary Test against Australia and also scored a debut 61 against Australia at Galle. He has already played seven ODI’s and 5 T-20 Internationals in his career.

Mendis was already named for the National Super League (NSL) Dambulla team captain but due to a leg injury he was rested from the first week matches and is in the recovery period, said a senior official of the SLC. His injury is not serious and expected to take part in Sri Lanka ‘A’ series.

Meanwhile, Oshada Fernando, the experienced National player who scored 201 against Colombo at the opening NSL tournament is in the squad. He already played 19 Tests matches, eight ODIs and seven T-20 internationals while all rounder Janith Liyanage, all rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan, leg spinner Praveen Jayawickrama, leg spinner Lasith Embuldeniya who had match bag of ten wickets at the opening NSL game last week, and opener Nuwanindu Fernando of SSC who played two ODI’s against India in the last tour are the experienced players in the squad.

Chamindu Wijesinghe the all-rounder who was named the Man of the Final at the last Major Clubs three-day cricket tournament, two pacemen Shiran Fernando, Milan Ratnayake and Nishan Madushka the wicket keeper batter of Ragama CC who scored a thousand runs at the last Major Cubs cricket tournament, NCC wicket keeper batter Lahiru Udara and all rounder Sahan Arachchige who is the captain of Sri Lanka President’s XI at the ongoing three day game against England lions also are in the squad.

Meanwhile focusing on the next New Zealand cricket series selectors are expected to include 14 National cricketers to give match practice before the selections.

They have an idea to add a few players from the 14-player squad to test their performances before the New Zealand series which will commence on March 9th.

Kusal Janith Perera the wicket keeper batter who got a shoulder injury and went on surgery now well recovered and is having training and his first assignment will be taking part in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ series while former skipper Angelo Matthews also recalled for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad while opener Pathum Nissanka, Promod Madushan, Chamika Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando are in the 14 senior players’ list. Dushmantha Chameera who was injured during the last T-20 World Cup once again recalled to this squad. Chameera also went on surgery in Australia and spent a recovery period and selectors also wanted to test him during this Sri Lanka ‘A’ series before the New Zealand tour.

The wrist spinner Lakshan Sandaken, wicket keeper Sadeera Samarawickrama and young all rounder Kavishka Anjula who got 5 for 23 and scored a fighting knock of 60 in the opening NSL game are in the special 14 member squad. The selectors also gave a chance to face the fitness test before the selections while Dunith Wellalage, Nuwanindu Fernando and Kamindu Mendis also did their fitness test yesterday.

The selectors are very serious about the players’ fitness test while they are always considering present players’ performances for the team selections and the duty of the present selection committee headed by Promodya Wickramasinghe is highly appreciated by the senior member of the SLC.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for the England Lions series:

Lasith Croospulle, Nishan Madushka (WK), Lahiru Udara (WK), Nipun Dhananjaya (Capt – four day matches ), Kamindu Mendis (Capt- ODI), Sahan Arachchige, Thanuka Dabare, Shevon Daniel, Oshada Fernando, Nuwanindu Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Amshi de Silva, Milan Ratnayake, Shiran Ratnayake, Isitha Wijesundara, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Suminda Lakshan, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushan Hemantha.

The 14 member special squad:

Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Angelo Matthews, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Promod Madushan, Nuwan Thushara, Kavishka Anjula, Avishka Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera and Kusal Janith Perera.