Middle order batsman Milinda Siriwardana has been appointed as the Sri Lanka A captain for the upcoming three-match one-day series against West Indies A which starts on the 24th of October in Dambulla.

30-year old Siriwardana has played 14 ODIs for Sri Lanka with his last being the 1st ODI against Australia in August. Dashing opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka has also been added to the squad ahead of the tri-series in Zimbabwe while left-handed Sandun Weerakkody who made 79 and 48 in the third unofficial Test match in Dambulla has earned a place in the team.

Singer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year, Charith Asanlanka from Richmond College who played all three unofficial Test matches against the same opposition retains his place for the one-day matches while his U19 deputy, Anandian Sammu Ashan is the newest teenager to be called up to play ‘A’ team cricket.

Wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka who was a part of the last Sri Lanka A one-day squad which was badly beaten by England Lions and Pakistan A in July joins 22-year old former Peterite batsman, Lahiru Milantha, who has been finally given an opportunity after scoring heavily for the Development XI recently.

Shehan Jayasuriya and Dasun Shanaka have also been added to the 15-man squad while limited-overs fast-bowling specialists, Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha will lead the bowling department alongside rookie seamers, Keshan Wijerathne and Anuk Fernando.

Wijerathne, a past pupil of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala was exceptional for LB Finance in the recently concluded MCA ‘B’ division tournament and was also a part of the Sri Lanka Development XI tour to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Left-arm spinner, Amila Aponso who stunned the Aussies with his control and discipline during the limited-overs leg has also been named in the squad along with 31-year old right-arm off-spinner Alankara Asanka who has played 53 list A matches and has taken 37 wickets since his first-class debut in 2005.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad for the one-day series

Milinda Siriwardana (Captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sandun Weerakkody, Minod Bhanuka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Lahiru Milantha, Charith Asalanka, Sammu Ashan, Anuk Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Amila Aponso, Alankara Asanka, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Keshan Wijerathne.

1st one-day match – 24th October at Rangiri Dambulu International Stadium.
2nd one-day match – 27th October at Welegedara International Stadium.
3rd one-day match – 30th October at R. Premadasa International Stadium.Crawler