Arjuna leads balanced side to Australia

by Elmo Rodrigopulle
26 November 1998



The national cricket selectors have picked a well balanced squad to contest the Carlton and United Triangular Series which also features England and Australia in Australia in January and February next year.

The same 14 that toured Sharjah for the Champion's Trophy have been retained.

Allrounder Suresh Perera who had a good tour of England makes a welcome return after recovering from injury.

The only one to miss out is promising batsman Mahela Jayawardena. Jayawardena was unlucky considering the fact that he made a double hundred for SSC in the under-23 semi-final against Colts last weekend.

Aware of the pace and bounce in the wickets in Australia the selectors have placed faith in four paces.

It is encouraging to note that the selectors are persisting with pacemen Nuwan Zoysa and Promodaya Wickremasinghe.

Critics tend take the selectors to task everytime Wickremasinghe is selected. However Wickremasinghe hit back with pleasing efforts in England and Sharjah.

The squad to Australia:

Arjuna Ranatunga (Captain), Aravinda de Silva (Vice Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Marven Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vass, Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Pramodaya Wickramasinghe, Suresh Perera, Nuwan Zoysa, Avishka Gunawardana and Tilan Samaraweera.

Manager - Ranjit Fernando
Coach - Roy Dias
Physiotherapist - Alex Kontouri


Source: The Daily News