The Sri Lanka cricketers were given the Cricket Board wickets to practice, but the condition of the pitch forced the players to practice indoors despite bright sunshine. The Indians had no such problem as they had a good work out at the SSC grounds.
``The players missed out on a good practice session because the wicket was not rolled properly. I could not risk my boys on this kind of track, a day before an important match,'' said Sri Lanka under 19 manager Carlton Bernadus who was unhappy his team could not get proper practice before taking on India on a pitch which is usually quick.
Sri Lanka meet India in a game they are very good at - limited overs cricket, when the first of three under 19 one-day internationals commences at the Sara Stadium at 9.30 a.m. today.
The Sri Lankan batsmen having proved their impatience to stay at the wicket in the 4-day game, now have the opportunity to score briskly and create totals for their bowlers to defend, in trying to make a dent on the Indians' unbeaten record on the tour.
Having started the tour convincingly with a thumping innings win the over a Board President's Under 19 XI, the Indians have gone on to win three-test under 19 series as well by a 2-0 (1 drawn) margin.
The difference between the two sides has been the inability of the Sri Lankan batsmen to stay at the wicket and build an innings. The abbreviated version of the game does not make such demands from the batsmen, although fifty overs does not mean throwing one's wicket away quite cheaply.
The national selectors have made four changes from the 16-member squad named for the Test series. Rajitha Basnayake (injured), Dilshan Witharana (ill), Chamara Liyanage and Bathiya Karunaratne are those left out. Displacing them are Raddoluwa MV wicketkeeper/batsman Sean Mackay, who came in as a replacement for Witharana in the Matara Test, Maliyadeva, Kurunegala batsman Damitha Hunukumbura, Trinity right-arm fast-medium bowler Suranga Moratota and Josephian off-spinner Charinda Fernando. Of this lot, Moratota has been left out of today's eleven.
The selectors retained batsman Shantha Kalavitigoda in the squad with the hope of playing him in the one-day series, but the news on him is that he has still not recovered from the illness that affected him and Witharana, and that he will be totally out.
``We have a well-balanced side with four all-rounders in it. If our openers can give us a good start, we should be able to set the Indians a competitive total,'' said Bernadus.
Since they arrived in the country on February 9, the Indians have been involved in the longer version of the game which they had adapted to very well as their tour record reveals. The sudden change over to the overs-specific game without as much a practice game is bound to have its effect on the approach of the players.
``Whether we like or not we will have to adapt to the change,'' said Indian Under 19 coach Anshuman Gaekwad, whose presence has had a authoritative effect on the team.
The teams: SRI LANKA (UNDER 19) (in probable batting order): Upekha Fernando, Damitha Hunukumbura, Chintaka Jayasinghe, Kumar Sangakkara, Hemantha Boteju, Nimesh Perera (captain), Pradeep Hewage, Romesh Fernando, Sean Mackay, Charinda Fernando, Ranga Herath. 12th man - Ruwan Galappathi.
INDIA UNDER 19 (to be named).
UMPIRES : Saman Amarasinghe and Asoka de Silva (s/b Phillip Mendis).