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Journalism of Courage
COLOMBO, Feb 22: Sri Lanka’s cricket chief said today his team of both young and veteran players will give India a tough fight in their Asian Championship Test beginning on Wednesday.
“We will be without two of our stars, but we have a balanced side,” Thilanga Sumathipala, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), said. Off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan and opener Sanath Jayasuriya are out of the team, both nursing injuries.
Following the miserable tour of Australia, BCCSL has inducted three uncapped players — fast bowlers Ruchira Perara and Eric Upashantha, and left-hand opener Avishka Gunawardana.
Russel Arnold, a southpaw, who has played only three Tests, has been recalled to take the place of Jayasuriya. Muralitharan’s role will be filled by two players — left-hand spinner Niroshan BanMeanwhile in other Pool A action, strong contenders Chinese Taipei beat Indonesia 2-1. Taiwanese number one Janet Lee bt Liza Andriyani, while Wang Shi-Ting gave her country a 2-0 lead bydowning Wynne Prakusya 6-0 6-1.
In Pool B matches, China drubbed Hong Kong 3-0 and South Korea beat New Zealand 2-1.
