Squad leaves for series

Press, 22 December 1987, Page 44

Squad leaves for series

NZPA-AP Colombo A 16-member Sri Lankan cricket squad left Colombo yesterday for the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup and a test match against Australia. The squad is led by the newly appointed captain, Ranjan Madugalle. “The morale of the team is very high. The lads are confident and are determined to put up a good show,” Madugalle, aged 28, said on the eve of the squad's departure. . Sri Lanka will play in the WSC against Australia and New Zealand starting January 2. The team will play a test match against Australia in Perth on February 12-16 before travelling to Bangladesh to play in the Asia Cup in February. The Sri Lankans open their Australian tour with a day/night match against the Sheffield Shield champion, Western Australia, in Perth on Saturday. The team manager, Abu Fuard, said the squad’s strength was in batting but cautioned against expecting too much. “Do not expect wonders from us. We are going to play the World Cup champions, Australia, and New Zealand is no ordinary side,” he said. Australia won the World Cup played in India and Pakistan in October and November. Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand were eliminated in the group matches. The squad comprises Madugalle, Arjuna Ranatunga (vice captain) Roshan Mahanama, Brendon Kuruppu, Athula Smarasekara, Asanka Gurusingha, Aravinda De Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Guy De Alwis, Ravi Ratnayeke, Graeme Labrooy, Kaushik Amalean, Champaka Ramanayake, Asoka De Silva, Sridharan Jeganathan, Sanath Kaluperuma.