Their tour has been severely affected by rain and bad weather and their opening three-day warm up match and the first test match at Asgiriya were completely washed out. This game could be really important for the visitors ahead of the second unofficial test match which begins on August 1 at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala.
The Sri Lanka Board President's XI includes two test players Dulip Samaraweera and wicket keeper Lanka de Silva. Samaraweera will open the innings with Bradman Ediriweera with skipper Sajith Fernando batting at number three.
The teams:
Sri Lanka Board President's XI: Sajith Fernando (captain), Bradman Ediriweera, Dulip Samaraweera, Pradeep Hewage, Indika de Saram, Lanka de Silva, Hemantha Boteju, Tilan Samaraweera, Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Eric Upashantha, H.Rushdi. Reserves: Anil Rideegammanagedera, Ruchira Palliyaguru, Malinda Warnapura.
South Africa 'A' (from): Dale Benkenstein (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Bruyns, Herschelle Gibbs, H.D.Ackerman, Loots Bosman, Martin Van Jaarsveld, Ashwell Prince, Nic Pothas, Derek Crookes, Herman Bakkes, Alan Dawson, Henry Williams, Claude Henderson. (C.D)