Sri Lanka on Thursday announced their U-23 cricket team for the
13th South Asian Games scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from December 1-10.
Experienced ambidextrous bowler Kamindu Mendis has been named
the vice-captain of the Sri Lankan team led by Charith Asalanka. Mendis created
headlines when he bowled spin with both of his hands during the U-19 World Cup
in New Zealand.
He made his senior national team debut for the Twenty20 International
against England in Colombo more than a year ago. In March this year, he made
his One Day International debut for the senior side while playing against South
Africa in their away series.
Since then he has been an absentee in the national team. Another
senior team debutante Asitha Fernando also made the cut. The men's cricket
under the regional meet will be held at the Tribhuvan University Stadium in
Kathmandu.
After the 11th edition held in Dhaka included cricket
in the Games, the sports discipline had a no show in the 12th
edition in Guwahati. Following the withdrawal of India and Pakistan, the SA
Games cricket will see the participation of hosts Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Maldives and Bhutan.
SRI LANKAN SQUAD: Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC),
Pathum Nissanka, Hasitha Boyagoda, Vishwa Chathuranga, Ashen Bandara, Shammu Ashan,
Nishan Madushka, Jehan Daniel, Asitha Fernando, Kalana Perera, Duvindu
Thilakaratne, Sachindu Colombage, Kavishka Anjula