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		<title>Bangladesh begin well in reply to Sri Lanka&#8217;s 494</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=5073</link>
		<comments>https://kitsports.com/?p=5073#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2017 00:48:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mominul Haque]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soumya Sarkar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[On another batting day at Galle, Sri Lanka swelled their score to a 494, before Bangladesh cruised to 133 for 2 by stumps. The bowlers were relentless in their attempts to shake this Test awake &#8211; Mehedi Hasan bowled aggressively to make dents in the Sri Lanka lower order, and Lakshan Sandakan delivered some ripping [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> On another batting day at Galle, Sri Lanka swelled their score to a 494, before Bangladesh cruised to 133 for 2 by stumps. The bowlers were relentless in their attempts to shake this Test awake &#8211; Mehedi Hasan bowled aggressively to make dents in the Sri Lanka lower order, and Lakshan Sandakan delivered some ripping left-arm wristspin in the evening &#8211; but the pitch remained somnolent, and the teams more-or-less evenly placed.</p>
<p>On the batting front, Kusal Mendis squandered his chance to complete a maiden double-hundred, Niroshan Dickwella cracked his way to 75, Tamim Iqbal hit a half-century before running himself out, and a charmed Soumya Sarkar saw out the day on 66 not out. Among the cricket&#8217;s redeeming features, meanwhile, has been Sri Lanka&#8217;s positive outlook at the crease (they scored their runs at 3.82 an over), and the emergence of first hints of big turn. If the Galle pitch continues to descend into its familiar cantankerous mood through the back end of this match, Bangladesh will have to bat very well.</p>
<p>For now, it is the batsmen&#8217;s turn to hog the limelight, and no one has done that better than Kusal Mendis so far. He began the day on 166, but found his morning defined by two attempted sixes. The first, off Subashis Roy in the 95th over, was a hook shot gone awry &#8211; the mis-hit caught by Mustafizur Rahman at fine leg. The fielder, though, misjudged the position of the boundary, and trod on the rope while competing the catch. The umpire raised his arms to signal a six. Not seeing Mustafizur&#8217;s mistake, the bowler raised his arms in celebration. Dickwella, the non-striker, also raised his arms to suggest to Subashis that the ball had been carried over the boundary. Everyone had their hands up, and for a second they were standing around looking like bank tellers during an armed robbery.</p>
<p>The second attempted six, however, would cost Mendis his wicket. He stepped down the pitch to Mehedi and sought to deposit him over long-on. He didn&#8217;t quite get to the pitch, however, and this time, the mis-hit was controlled by Tamim Iqbal, who kept the ball in play by throwing it in the air, while he himself momentarily stepped over the boundary. That stroke had been an attempt to get to his maiden double hundred with a six &#8211; a sign that for all Mendis&#8217; seeming maturity at the crease, he is not immune to the impetuous flashes of youth. He was out for 194.</p>
<p>While Bangladesh&#8217;s bowlers failed to muster the discipline they had managed in the first half of the first day, Mendis&#8217; partner, Dickwella, was typically lively at the crease, launching the second ball he faced on the day over the leg side for six, and at times employing the reverse sweep that has recently served him well in the shortest format. He played the ramp stroke over the slips to hit the second of his successive boundaries off Taskin Ahmed in the 97th over, and brought up his second Test half century soon after, off the 52nd ball he faced. Mehedi eventually had him top-edging an attempted swipe over the leg side to dismiss him for 75. Dilruwan Perera then hit a brisk half century &#8211; largely in the company of the tail &#8211; to help propel Sri Lanka to the brink of 500.</p>
<p>Tamim and Soumya would go on to register Bangladesh&#8217;s first opening century stand in almost two years, but their progress was not always smooth. Soumya should have been out for 4 in the third over, had his outside edge been snared by Perera at gully off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal. Perera then became the bowler to have Tamim Iqbal dropped &#8211; on 28 &#8211; when wicketkeeper Dickwella failed to cling on to a thick outside edge.</p>
<p>Apart from those two errors, the openers were otherwise assured. They would often stride down the crease to knock the spinners down the ground, or launch them over the infield. Against the quicks, who were used in short spells, they rarely ventured a loose shot &#8211; Soumya lifting Lahiru Kumara languidly over the slips at one point.</p>
<p>It was only once both batsmen had almost reached fifty that Sandakan was brought into the attack. He began to cause problems almost immediately, regularly beating the bat and drawing inside-edges. For the first time in the Test, there seemed to be some turn in the surface. He can claim some credit in the dismissal of Tamim, though on the score sheet it went down as a run-out. A stock ball clipped Tamim&#8217;s pad en route to the keeper &#8211; it perhaps collected some part of the bat as well &#8211; and though Dickwella took the ball cleanly, Tamim believed the ball to have dribbled away towards fine leg, and took off for a run. The wicketkeeper only had to take the bails off.</p>
<p>Bangladesh will be disappointed that Mominul Haque got himself trapped in front only a few overs before stumps were drawn, but nevertheless, may feel they have plenty of batting left. </p>
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		<title>Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, 1st Test, Galle &#8211; Preview..</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=5063</link>
		<comments>https://kitsports.com/?p=5063#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 01:10:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asela Gunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dimuth Karunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh Chandimal (wk)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kamrul Islam Rabbi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liton Das]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mahmudullah Riyad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Malinda Pushpakumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mehedi Hasan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mominul Haque]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mosaddek Hossain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mushfiqur Rahim (capt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mustafizur Rahman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Pradeep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rangana Herath (capt)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rubel H]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sabbir Rahman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shakib Al Hasan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soumya Sarkar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Subashis Roy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taijul Islam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tamim Iqbal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taskin Ahmed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upul tharanga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vikum Sanjaya Bandara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wk)]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[With an eye on improving its less than impressive away record, Bangladesh will look to catch an under-strength Sri Lanka off guard when the two-Test series gets underway in Galle on Tuesday (March 7). Bangladesh has won just three of its 45 away matches &#8212; two against West Indies in 2009 and one against Zimbabwe [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With an eye on improving its less than impressive away record, Bangladesh will look to catch an under-strength Sri Lanka off guard when the two-Test series gets underway in Galle on Tuesday (March 7).</p>
<p>Bangladesh has won just three of its 45 away matches &#8212; two against West Indies in 2009 and one against Zimbabwe in 2013 &#8212; but has shown considerable improvement since its last victory overseas.</p>
<p>In its own backyard, Bangladesh has won four Tests, drawn five and conceded only three defeats since 2014. It showed impressive recent form against New Zealand and then India in away matches despite losing in both countries.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka has a solid record at home and blanked Australia 3-0 in the last series it hosted, in August 2016. But Bangladesh will be buoyed by the return of Mustafizur Rahman, the left-arm paceman who has not played a Test since his debut series against South Africa in 2015.</p>
<p>Mustafizur, 21, had undergone a shoulder surgery in August last year, after picking up an injury while playing for Sussex. He was selected for the New Zealand tour in December-January, and played four limited-overs matches before being ruled out of the two Tests that followed due to a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka has won each of its last five Tests on home soil and will be captained by Rangana Herath, its experienced left-arm spinner who replaced Angelo Mathews.</p>
<p>The Sri Lankan cricket board did not say why Mathews was dropped, but he returned home last month midway through the South African tour after twisting his ankle.</p>
<p>The second Test in Colombo from March 15 will be Bangladesh’s 100th since it gained full status nearly 17 years ago.</p>
<p>The teams are also scheduled to play three One-Day Internationals before facing off in two Twenty20 Internationals to wind down the tour on April 6.</p>
<p>Teams (from):</p>
<p>Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara.</p>
<p>Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt, wk), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Subashis Roy, Rubel H</p>
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		<title>Expectant new look SL Test composition under Herath vs. Bangladesh</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=5057</link>
		<comments>https://kitsports.com/?p=5057#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Mar 2017 01:08:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asela Gunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dimuth Karunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh chandimal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kamrul Islam Rabbi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liton Das]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mahmudullah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Malinda Pushpakumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mehedi Hasan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mominul Haque]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mosaddek Hossain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mushfiqur Rahim (c)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mustafizur Rahman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Pradeep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rangana herath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rubel Hossain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sabbir Rahman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shakib Al Hasan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soumya Sarkar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sri Lanka 'A']]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Subashis Roy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taijul Islam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tamim Iqbal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taskin Ahmed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upul tharanga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vikum Sanjaya Bandara]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Sri Lanka’s two-match Test series against sub continent neighbours Bangladesh does take on a different air given the composition of the 15-member squad with spin veteran Rangana Herath once again handed the captaincy in the absence of injury sidelined regular captain Angelo Mathews. While Mathews’ recuperation will reportedly see the all-rounder out of action for [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sri Lanka’s  two-match Test series against sub continent neighbours Bangladesh  does take on a different air given the composition of the 15-member squad with spin veteran Rangana Herath once again handed the captaincy in the absence of injury sidelined regular captain Angelo Mathews. While Mathews’ recuperation will reportedly see the all-rounder out of action for three weeks, Herath once again taking over the reins as he did on the tour is interesting. With Dinesh Chandimal, who lost his place midway during the ODI series against South Africa due to poor form, interestingly named in the 15, the onus falls on Herath to carry the chips in a predictably challenging home tour against a highly resurgent Bangladesh.<br />
Certainly the absence of Mathews is a handicap Herath and the rest will have to compensate for knowing the value input the former has brought to Sri Lanka cricket.</p>
<p>Accordingly, the current scenario is of tremendous expectancy in a changed outlook of several colts that have come on the blocks who will strive to make their cricketing dream come true. Of significance to the Sri Lankan crusade is the presence of veteran campaigner Upul Tharanga back with a bang from an ODI century against South Africa and his consistency with the bat in leading the T20 team to the preceding series triumph. His T20 captaincy performance has been an apparent plus factor to the recall of the 32-year old veteran of 25 Test outings in ousting regular opener Kaushal di Silva for the opening berth. He has a moderate aggregate of 1400 runs from 46 innings with a highest of 165. He is epected to beef up the batting upfront pairing with Dimuth Karunaratne back from an on trial reprieve that he came through with a double ton against England A in the unofficial second test match. Also buoying is the apparent cementing of Test places by wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne as specialist batsmen, and as much the naming of the 29-year old spin cum utility player Malinda Pushpakumara. While Dickwella and Gunaratne literally nudged the selectors by some fine performances in the instant cricket in South Africa after being omitted for the Test series, Pushpakumara, the former Lumbini MV, Colombo and Chilaw Marians player has been in top form with the ball heading the domestic averages. His 13-wicket haul and match sealing boundary in Sri Lanka A’s win against England A in the second unofficial Test was high stuff at that level that has thrust him on the threshold of winning his national cap against Bangladesh for the first Test starting on March 7 at the Galle Esplanade.</p>
<p>All in all, the squad does carry a lineup of some promising youngsters along with a string of campaigners who have been around long enough to test Bangladesh to the extreme in favourable home conditions. An added dimension to the Sri Lankan official ranks is of course that former top campaigner, Asanka Gurusinha as manager Cricket for the National Team. It is a highly laudable choice by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in getting the perfect blend at managerial level given Gurusinha’s tremendous services to Sri Lanka cricket.</p>
<p>Neighbours Bangladesh will be led by experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim in a composition that sees fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman recalled after a 2-year hiatus. The exchanges, that will also see three ODIs and two T20s, has already assumed fiery proportions with the visiting skipper Rahim having thrown the gauntlet in stating on his arrival that Bangladesh was confident of upsetting Sri Lanka in the absence of regular Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews. Test minnows, who top their 100th Test match against Sri Lanka on March 15, have indeed come a long way chalking up a string of Test wins mainly against Zimbabwe, and also defeating the West Indies, in their thrust to tasting the test series euphoria.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka Test squad:Rangana Herath (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara.</p>
<p>Bangladesh Test squad Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Subashis Roy, Rubel Hossain.</p>
<p>Tour Manager – Ranjith Fernando, Heapd coach – Graham Ford, Physiotherapist – Ajantha Wattegama, Trainer – Nicholas Lee, Masseur – Lal Thamel, Performance analyst- Sriram Somayajula, Liaison officers – Chandra Rodrigo (Sri Lankan Team), Wasantha Ariyawickrama (B</p>
<p>-</p>
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		<title>Gunaratne, Dickwella named in Test squad</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=5051</link>
		<comments>https://kitsports.com/?p=5051#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Mar 2017 01:11:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asela Gunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dimuth Karunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh Chandimal (wk)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[international and domestic cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kaushal Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Perera.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Malinda Pushpakumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Pradeep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rangana Herath (capt)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ron Chandraguptha]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upul tharanga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vikum Sanjaya]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Batsmen Asela Gunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella have been named in Sri Lanka&#8217;s squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, following their success in limited-overs internationals over the past month. Gunaratne hit two match-winning fifties in the recent T20 series in Australia, and had also struck a maiden ODI hundred in South Africa earlier in the [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> Batsmen Asela Gunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella have been named in Sri Lanka&#8217;s squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, following their success in limited-overs internationals over the past month.</p>
<p>Gunaratne hit two match-winning fifties in the recent T20 series in Australia, and had also struck a maiden ODI hundred in South Africa earlier in the month. Dickwella, meanwhile, has been effective at the top of the order in the shorter formats, but had also had some first-class form behind him in recent domestic outings.</p>
<p>Among those omitted from the squad are Kusal Perera, who has been in poor form in both international and domestic cricket over the past few months, and opener Kaushal Silva.</p>
<p>Dimuth Karunaratne, the other opener, remains in the squad, however. This is thanks in part to his 212 for Sri Lanka A against England Lions over the weekend. He had also hit Sri Lanka&#8217;s only half-century in their most recent Test at the Wanderers.</p>
<p>The selectors sprang no major surprises on the bowling front. Malinda Pushpakumara, whom SLC had already announced would be part of the squad, is the only first-time addition. Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Vikum Sanjaya &#8211; all right-armers &#8211; make up the seam-bowling options, while Rangana Herath leads a strong spin contingent featuring Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan in addition to Pushpakumara. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has not played competitive cricket since late last year, and, as such, is unavailable.</p>
<p>Gunaratne&#8217;s inclusion in this squad was largely expected. He had prospered in his first Test series in Zimbabwe over October and November, and had only left the squad to make way for the return of Angelo Mathews, who had been injured for that series. With Mathews out of the side again for this series, Gunaratne is a potential replacement at no. 5, capable of providing a slow-medium bowling option for captain Herath.</p>
<p>Dickwella, 23, had to beat out a late challenge from Ron Chandraguptha to secure the second opener&#8217;s spot, but was also the frontrunner for this position. He had mixed results in his previous stint in the Test team in 2014, playing as wicketkeeper and batting down the order &#8211; he averages 20.57 after seven Test innings &#8211; but has since expanded his game. He was the Player of the Series in the 2-1 T20 victory over South Africa in January, and had also scored 522 runs at an average of 52.20 in Sri Lanka&#8217;s first-class competition before he left for that tour.</p>
<p>The Test series begins on March 7 in Galle.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka squad: Rangana Herath (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara. </p>
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		<title>Sri Lanka makes three late changes on eve of ODI series</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4961</link>
		<comments>https://kitsports.com/?p=4961#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2017 01:18:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asela Gunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chathuranga de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh Chandimal (wk)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isuru Udana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jeffrey Vandersay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Madushanka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Kulasekara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sachith Pathirana.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sandun Weerakkody]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seekkuge Prasanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thikshila de Silva]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Vikum Sanjaya]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Sri Lanka has made three late changes to their ODI squad in South Africa, announcing the inclusions of Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay and Vikum Sanjaya on the eve of the first match in Port Elizabeth which commences on Saturday. They have replaced Isuru Udana, Thikshila de Silva and Seekkuge Prasanna. Fast bowlers Kumara and Sanjaya [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sri Lanka has made three late changes to their ODI squad in South Africa, announcing the inclusions of Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay and Vikum Sanjaya on the eve of the first match in Port Elizabeth which commences on Saturday. They have replaced Isuru Udana, Thikshila de Silva and Seekkuge Prasanna.</p>
<p>Fast bowlers Kumara and Sanjaya were part of the Test squad &#8211; with Kumara playing the second and third Tests &#8211; while Vandersay replaced Prasanna in a legspinner-for-legspinner swap. Kumara, who has played four Tests, is yet to play a short-format game at the senior level, while Sanjaya is yet to make his international debut.</p>
<p>This means Sri Lanka&#8217;s squad now contains four players uncapped in the ODI format, including the allrounder Lahiru Madushanka and the wicketkeeper-batsman Sandun Weerakkody.</p>
<p>Allrounder Thikshila made his international debut during the T20 series, playing all three matches, batting twice &#8211; once at No. 4 &#8211; for scores of 3 and 0, and sending down just the one over. Prasanna, meanwhile, took two wickets in the three games and conceded 8.42 runs an over, while also contributing a match-winning, unbeaten 16-ball 37 in the decider at Newlands.</p>
<p>Udana, the left-arm quick, played two of the T20s, taking 3 for 13 in the second game at the Wanderers. Originally part of the ODI squad &#8211; having not played a 50-over game for Sri Lanka since July 2012 &#8211; he has now been left out.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka ODI squad: Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Sandun Weerakkody, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Chathuranga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Madushanka, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Vikum Sanjaya. </p>
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		<title>De Silva defies South African pace attack</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4896</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2016 01:22:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh chandimal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kagiso Rabada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kaushal Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Pradeep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rangana herath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sri Lankan batting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva kept Sri Lanka’s hopes alive with a defiant innings on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Tuesday. De Silva made 43 not out as Sri Lanka struggled to 181 for seven &#8211; still 105 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 286 [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dhananjaya de Silva kept Sri Lanka’s hopes alive with a defiant innings on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at St George’s Park on Tuesday.</p>
<p>De Silva made 43 not out as Sri Lanka struggled to 181 for seven &#8211; still 105 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 286 &#8211; before bad light ended play.</p>
<p>South African new ball bowlers Vernon Philander and Kyle Abbott put the Sri Lankan batsmen under pressure in seam-friendly conditions, with the first three wickets falling for 22 runs.</p>
<p>It looked as though a full-scale collapse was possible but Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews made a solid 39 before De Silva came out to bat at number seven and played an impressive innings, with assistance from Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana Herath.</p>
<p>It was not a wholly impressive performance by the South African bowlers. Philander and Abbott both bowled well, taking three for 35 and two for 49 respectively, but rising star Kagiso Rabada had an off day. De Silva, playing in only his sixth Test, showed some of the quality that has already brought him centuries against Australia and Zimbabwe, although he survived a caught and bowled chance to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj when he was on 27. When play ended he had faced 69 balls and hit five fours.</p>
<p>The day started well for Sri Lanka when fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, playing in his 32nd Test, took his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with five for 63, as South Africa lost their last four wickets for 19 runs.</p>
<p>The previous Test best for Lakmal, 29, was four for 78 against Pakistan in Dubai in January 2014.</p>
<p>Philander was caught at deep square leg when he top-edged a pull against Nuwan Pradeep in the fifth over of the morning after South Africa had resumed at 267 for six. Maharaj edged an away swinger to wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal to give Lakmal his fifth wicket and Abbott was run out after a mix-up with Quinton de Kock.</p>
<p>But the hosts hit back almost immediately as Philander and Abbott ripped into their batting. Both gained appreciable movement through the air and off the pitch as three wickets fell in the first eight overs before captain Mathews joined a patient Kaushal Silva to add 39 runs for the fourth wicket.</p>
<p>Silva was the only one of the top four in the Sri Lankan batting order to show a solid defensive technique in tricky conditions.</p>
<p>But he made only 16 off 108 balls before he was leg before wicket to Philander, who produced a ball that cut back after a succession of deliveries that left the batsman.</p>
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		<title>When Dickwella played the &#8216;Dilscoop&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4824</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:48:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carlos Brathwaite]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Perera.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Niroshan Dickwella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[As a batsman, Kusal Perera&#8217;s favourite scoring area is behind square on the leg side. And so with Shannon Gabriel, clocking in excess of 145 clicks quite regularly, he looked to use the pace and simply lend direction. All of it, of course, seems easier on paper than out on the field. Gabriel proved why. [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> As a batsman, Kusal Perera&#8217;s favourite scoring area is behind square on the leg side. And so with Shannon Gabriel, clocking in excess of 145 clicks quite regularly, he looked to use the pace and simply lend direction. All of it, of course, seems easier on paper than out on the field. Gabriel proved why.</p>
<p>First, Kusal was struck flush on his toe by a yorker, which demanded medical attention. Kusal, in visible discomfort immediately after coping the blow, decided the best way out was to counterattack. Seeing Kusal walk across, Gabriel speared a superb yorker at serious pace on leg stump. Kusal overbalanced in his attempt to flick and was late on the shot. By the time his bat came down, the ball had crashed into the middle and leg stumps.</p>
<p>Dickwella brings out the &#8216;Dilscoop&#8217;</p>
<p>It was in Zimbabwe, over 17 years ago, that Tillakaratne Dilshan broke through in international cricket. On Wednesday, Dilshan, perhaps watching his mates from the comfort of his couch, may have grinned ear to ear when he saw Niroshan Dickwella play a shot named after him. Seeing the batsman swing freely to full deliveries, Carlos Brathwaite shortened his length and bowled a slow offcutter. Dickwella was already down on one knee, trying to use the pace and paddle it fine. But with the ball not coming on at the pace he would have liked, a delicate little deflection was turned into a full-blooded scoop with the bat moving upwards in a lovely little arc in a fraction of a second or two. He found the middle too, clearing short fine leg to get a boundary.</p>
<p>Cheeky attempt thwarts Kusal</p>
<p>Kusal Mendis&#8217; dismissal was somewhat like that of a man who walked blindfolded on a highway, only to be run over by a cycle. Adventurous in his outlook at the crease, he first fetched a slog-sweep off Ashley Nurse from outside off to hit it into bleachers at cow corner. Then he got down on one knee and swung a full delivery for six over long-on. He was suddenly six short of a maiden ODI ton. Seeing the batsman line him up for a third hit, Nurse shortened his length and fired it wide. Kusal re-adjusted and tried to run the ball past the keeper, but could only manage a faint nick. And with that the wait for a maiden ODI hundred continued.</p>
<p>Lakmal&#8217;s three-card trick</p>
<p>One didn&#8217;t know whether it was a deliberate plan from Suranga Lakmal to test Johnson Charles with three different deliveries in the eighth over of the chase, but it worked. First up, a full ball was drilled down the ground for four. Then he dug one short, seemingly in an attempt to target his ribcage. The ball didn&#8217;t bounce as high as he would have liked. Charles shuffled across and helped it along to fine leg. Then, he unleashed a slow offcutter, which foxed Charles. The batsman was through with the swing even before the ball arrived, and toe-ended a catch to Upul Tharanga at mid-off.</p>
<p>Of mix-ups and missed opportunities</p>
<p>Evin Lewis had just got past a hundred and was cramping. The frustration of a few swings and misses resulted in him attempting cheeky runs. He survived a run-out chance on 114 when Dickwella dislodged the bails before he could collect the ball cleanly from the cover fielder. He continued to swing his way to make 148 before being stranded mid-pitch courtesy a mix-up with his captain Jason Holder, with West Indies slipping to 262 for 6, needing 69 off 57 balls. Sri Lanka&#8217;s fielding nightmares extended into the end-overs when Upul Tharanga put down a skier at mid-on to reprieve Carlos Brathwaite on 3.</p>
<p>Both the missed opportunities may have cost Sri Lanka on another day, but on the face of pressure, West Indies wilted again, much like they did in the previous game, against Zimbabwe, that resulted in a tie. </p>
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		<title>Chandimal ruled out of Zimbabwe Tests</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4766</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 23 Oct 2016 00:50:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asela Gunaratne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asitha Fernando]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh chandimal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kasun Madushanka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Gamage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rangana herath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sanath jayasuriya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vishwa Fernando]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Sri Lanka will send to Zimbabwe one of their most inexperienced Test fast bowling line-ups when the 15-member squad was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday. To add to their woes vice-captain, top batter and wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal won’t be making the tour to Zimbabwe as he has still not fully recovered from a thumb [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sri Lanka will send to Zimbabwe one of their most inexperienced Test fast bowling line-ups when the 15-member squad was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday.</p>
<p>To add to their woes vice-captain, top batter and wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal won’t be making the tour to Zimbabwe as he has still not fully recovered from a thumb injury which he sustained playing in a Mercantile ‘A’ division match last month. The injury required surgery.</p>
<p>Chandimal’s place is filled by the Sri Lanka Army SC’s uncapped 30-year-old right-hand batting all-rounder Asela Gunaratne who has been amongst the runs in the ongoing unofficial test series against West Indies A.</p>
<p>Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya stated that he was hopeful that Chandimal would recover in time for the one-day tri-series against Zimbabwe and West Indies that starts at Harare on November 14.</p>
<p>The two Tests against Zimbabwe are scheduled to be played at Harare from October 29-November 2 and November 6-10.</p>
<p>The delay in releasing the squad which was picked over a week ago was due to the fitness concerns surrounding key players especially the fast bowlers..</p>
<p>Eventually the Lankan selectors were left with only Suranga Lakmal as the fast bowler who was fit for selection amongst the experienced lot.</p>
<p>How weak the Lankan pace bowling line-up is can be gauged by the fact that Lakmal although being the most experienced of the five fast bowlers picked for the tour has never produced a five-wicket innings haul in Tests in the six years he has played for his country. In 29 Tests he has 60 wickets at an average which is usually associated with a batsman – 49.40. The selectors have no option but to pick him as the spearhead of the fast bowling attack.</p>
<p>“We have picked the best possible line-up of fast bowlers available to us,” said chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya.</p>
<p>“Kasun Madushanka has been bowling well in the ongoing series against West Indies A and Lahiru Gamage is the most experienced Sri Lanka A bowler we have. We picked Lahiru Kumara (Sri Lanka under 19 bowler) because he is good potential for the future,” he said.</p>
<p>All three fast bowlers are uncapped along with Gunaratne. Adding to the woes of the long list of fast bowling injuries are two young fast bowlers Asitha Fernando (hamstring) and Vishwa Fernando (back injury).</p>
<p>Sri Lanka are already beset by injuries to key fast bowlers Dhammika Prasad (shoulder), Nuwan Pradeep (hamstring), Dushmantha Chameera (back stress fracture) and one-day specialist Lasith Malinga (knee). They have also lost the services of Shaminda Eranga reported for a suspect bowling action.</p>
<p>In the absence of Chandimal, Jayasuriya said that Niroshan Dickwella who has been picked in the squad would most probably be taking over the wicket-keeping gloves although there is also Kusal Perera who has kept wickets for Sri Lanka in Tests.</p>
<p>Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva are the two established openers, but Perera can also play the dual-purpose role of opener or late order batsman. The Lankan batting seems settled with the exception of Chandimal whose absence will put extra pressure on the rest of the batters to perform.</p>
<p>The spin department is once again headed by the experienced and most capped current Sri Lanka Test player left-armer Rangana Herath who will be supported by off-spinner Dilruwan Perera and left-arm chinaman Lakshan Sandakan.</p>
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		<title>Teenager Lahiru Kumara called up for 3rd ODI vs. Australia&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4439</link>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Aug 2016 00:59:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amila Aponso]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angelo Mathews (Captain)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angelo Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Avishka Fernando]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danushka Gunathilaka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhanajaya De Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dilruwan Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh chandimal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Perera.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Kumara]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakshan Sandakan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Milinda Siriwardana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ODI cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[one-day international]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seekkuge Prasanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Srilanka Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thisara Perera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Sri Lanka included teenage fast bowler Lahiru Kumara in its squad for the third one-day international against Australia on Sunday. Allrounder Milinda Siriwardana, who was in the squad for the first two games, was omitted in the only other change in the 16-man squad announced on Friday. Kumara was part of Sri Lanka&#8217;s successful under-19 [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sri Lanka included teenage fast bowler Lahiru Kumara in its squad for the third one-day international against Australia on Sunday.</p>
<p>Allrounder Milinda Siriwardana, who was in the squad for the first two games, was omitted in the only other change in the 16-man squad announced on Friday.</p>
<p>Kumara was part of Sri Lanka&#8217;s successful under-19 tour to England, where the youth test and ODI series were won recently. His teammate, batsman Avishka Fernando, was already in the senior squad as Sri Lanka looks to build a team for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.</p>
<p>Kumara, who has no first-class experience, took 19 wickets in both formats during the England tour.</p>
<p>Opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan will retire from ODI cricket after the third match in Dambulla, to give way for the team building. Dilshan has played 329 ODIs since his debut in 1999, and still ranks among the team&#8217;s best scorers.<br />
___</p>
<p>Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhanajaya De Silva, Angelo Perera, Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Amila Aponso, Lahiru Kumara.</p>
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		<title>Lanka looking for late cameo at tour end&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://kitsports.com/?p=4211</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:40:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kit-sports editor]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cricket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adil Rashid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angelo Mathews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Angelo Mathews (capt.)]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Jordan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danushka Gunathilaka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dasun Shanaka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Malan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Willey.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dhananjaya de Silva]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinesh chandimal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Farveez Maharoof]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Vince]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Roy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Johnny Bairstow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jos Buttler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Mendis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kusal Perera.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lahiru Thirimanne]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liam Dawson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Liam Plunkett]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nuwan Pradeep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sam Billings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seekkuge Prasanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suraj Randiv]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Suranga Lakmal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tymal Mills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Upul tharanga]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[It’s been a long, thankless tour of England for Sri Lanka. It began early in May with a practice game against Essex and has spanned nearly two months. During the course of its travels, Sri Lanka has managed just two wins, both coming in One-Day Internationals in Ireland. England, its host for a majority of [&#8230;]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> It’s been a long, thankless tour of England for Sri Lanka. It began early in May with a practice game against Essex and has spanned nearly two months. During the course of its travels, Sri Lanka has managed just two wins, both coming in One-Day Internationals in Ireland.</p>
<p>England, its host for a majority of the tour, has comprehensively outplayed it in both Tests and ODIs so far, and in doing so, has claimed an unassailable lead in the new multi-format points system. So it is that when the two sides clash one final time in a Twenty20 International at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday (July 5), Sri Lanka will be fighting to avoid a clean sweep across formats.</p>
<p>After a 0-2 loss in the Tests and a 0-3 reversal in the ODIs, Sri Lanka will find it a struggle to boost morale. After the final ODI – a comprehensive 122-run loss in Cardiff – Angelo Mathews, the captain, found himself fending off questions about his captaincy, saying: “This is a tough time for me as a captain and for the whole unit. But you can’t run away from it.”</p>
<p>The hope was that the ODIs would help Sri Lanka emerge strong from its troubles in Tests, the hope stemming from the possibility of the shorter format narrowing the gap between the teams. However, England – a markedly different side in limited-overs internationals since Sri Lanka defeated it in the ICC World Cup 2015 – proved too strong once again, and apart from the first ODI which ended in a tie, was comprehensive winner in the remaining three completed matches.</p>
<p>The problem for Sri Lanka has been that its departments have struggled to work in tandem. The batsmen posted 305 for 5 in the fourth ODI, but the bowlers struggled to restrict England to below that score. Then, when England set it 325 to win in the fifth, its batsmen were contained to 202.</p>
<p>“I’m pretty sure if we keep improving day by day, we can come out of this hole,” said Mathews after the final ODI. “For the past two months, we’ve been having the same problems, either batting, bowling or fielding has let us down in every single game.”</p>
<p>Ahead of the final clash of what has been a tiresome series, Sri Lanka will hope to depart with its heads held high. A late cameo or a couple of miscues usually prove decisive in T20s, and Sri Lanka knows it has its best chance yet to put one over England. Recent form doesn’t favour Sri Lanka in that respect either – England reached the final of the ICC World T20 2016, while the Sri Lankans failed to get out of their group.</p>
<p>England, meanwhile, is expected to blood a few youngsters in the one-off clash, including Tymal Mills, the paceman. He comes with a reputation for searing pace, something that gained momentum after he roughed up Chris Gayle during the NatWest T20 blast last month. “I’d love to see him play. I won’t be the sole selector, but from my point of view, it would be great to see someone like that charge and give it everything,” said Trevor Bayliss, the England coach.</p>
<p>“It’s good to see some batsmen ducking and weaving.”</p>
<p>Eoin Morgan, the England captain, spoke before the ODIs of how much of a confidence booster it was for the side to reach the ICC World T20 2016 final, and warned of coping with bigger expectations. Those expectations would only have increased after its performances in the series so far.</p>
<p>Teams (from):</p>
<p>England: Eoin Morgan (capt), Sam Billings, Johnny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, David Malan, Tymal Mills, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, James Vince, David Willey.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Farveez Maharoof, Suraj Randiv, Seekkuge Prasanna.</p>
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