Zoysa can pose threats on bouncy tracks

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting

Wednesday 25, March 1998


Nuwan Zoysa, the gangling left arm paceman will fly into Johannesburg tomorrow to strengthen the depleted Sri Lankan attack due to the ankle injury suffered by 'hit man' Chaminda Vaas.

Vaas will be shown to a surgeon this morning in Pretoria, and according to cricket manager Duleep Mendis depending on what the surgeon says, The Management will decide whether to allow an operation on his troublesome ankle.

Off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan carried the attack in the Test. He too is nursing a sore spinning finger. But will be ready for the second Test beginning on Friday.

Zoysa a promising paceman who toured New Zealand and broke down, has been out of the game for nearly eight months. During this period, he had been monitored by his physicians and according to Mendis has been training hard in the nets.

Zoysa had been put through a strenuous test at the nets and it is said that he is now fit and ready to resume his career that holds a lot of promise.

'Zoysa will be a big threat to the South African batsmen on these bouncy tracks. We will have him in the frame for the Test beginning in Pretoria. He will be Sri Lanka's answer to the menacing pace of Donald and Pollock,' said skipper Ranatunga before boarding the flight that took them to Pretoria.

According to Ranatunga there is also the possibility of Mario Villavarayen too being asked for. If the Cricket Board refuses to pay for Villavarayen's stay here, the cricketers are willing to pool and have him here.

In the meantime Lionel Nawalgodagedera, popularly referred to as 'Lionel Ritchie,' by the South African spectators, arrived on the fourth day of the Test in Newlands and endeared himself to the South Africans by doing his thing round the ground proudly carrying the Sri Lankan flag.

Radio South Africa commented on Lionel's cheering and so did the Television people.

Lionel was interviewed by several journalists covering the cricket. They had watched him during the World Cup and were keen to know him.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Mar1998 - 11:10