The Sri Lankans who were forced to have a light workout owing to an underprepared practice pitch, did not name a playing eleven, but named 12 from which the team will be picked to play Northern Districts beginning tomorrow in the resort tourist town of Taupo.
The Lankans had a bit of a scare when rising deliveries struck Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama. Jayasuriya was struck over his right elbow and Mahanama on his left shoulder. But thankfully they were only bruises and needed only ice packings.
With vice captain Aravinda de Silva arriving from England today with physio Kountouri, the Lankan selectors left out main strike bowler Chaminda Vaas and the promising Nuwan Soysa and from the 12 named, Dulip Samaraweera is likely to sit out.
The following are likely to play: Arjuna Ranatunga (capt), Roshan Mahanama, Sanath Jayasuriya, Hashan Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharne, Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitheran, Kumara Dharmasena, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Sajeewa Silva.
The practice pitch was causing concern to the tourists and they did not go flat out during their near four-hour workout. After having a few shots, the Lankans concentrated more on getting their fielding act together and they were very impressive.
Northern districts have given their young pacemen Mark Tesar and Gavin Donne their first taste of international cricket. They have left out skipper and test opening batsman Blair Pocock and test spin bowler the young Daniel Vettori. Both will face Sri Lanka in the game against New Zealand 'A' starting in Cisborne on Sunday. Dion Nash and Scot Styris will also give this game a miss.
In the Northern Districts outfit are test players Matt Hart, Grant Bradburn and Mark Bailey. Bradburn, an off-spinner, held out a lot of promise early on in his career. But sudden loss of form had him dumped out of test recognition.
There were overnight showers, but the wicket has been covered and first looks shows that it is good for batting.
The Northern Districts team from Matthew Bell, Matt Hart, Grant Bradburn, Mark Bailey, Michael Parlane, Alex O'Dowd, Joseph Yovich, Robbie Hart, (Capt), Alex Tait, Mark Tesar, Dion Bennet and Gavi Donne.