However the Sri Lanka 'A' team will be hoping to exploit the home conditions through their spin combination of Malinga Bandara and Tilan Samaraweera. The former in particular will be determined to put up a good performance after having made an unimpressive test debut against New Zealand recently.
In addition the performance of Peterite schoolboy Malinda Warnapura too will be of great significance as the 19 year old left hander will be making his international debut. Warnapura was a consistent run getter during the concluded inter-school cricket season and has been rewarded for all his hard work.
The Sri Lanka 'A' teams batting revolves around skipper Sajith Fernando, Avishka Gunawardena and Sanjeeva Ranatunga. In addition Upeka Fernando and Manoj Mendis are also two good stroke makers who are capable of rising to the occasion.
Meanwhile our Kandy South Group Correspondent S.M.Jiffrey Abdeen adds prospects of play on the opening day looks bleak with more rain falling in Kandy on Monday.
Sun hardly came out and the curator of the Asgiriya Stadium Roger Abeyratne looked a worried man on Monday. He said the outfield is wet and it is impossible to use the mower as the wheels could get stuck in the mud and even the grass can come out in tufts in the outfield.
He said that the wicket is kept covered but there is moisture and you need a full day's sunshine for it to dry.
The teams:
Sri Lanka 'A': Sajith Fernando (captain), Upeka Fernando, Sanjeewa Ranatunga, Avishka Gunawardena, Manoj Mendis, Malinda Warnapura, T.M.Dilshan, Ruchira Perera, Tilan Samaraweera, Malinga Bandara, Indika Gallage. Reserves: Indika de Saram, Eric Upashantha, Ruchira Palliyaguru.
South Africa 'A' (from): Dale Benkenstein (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Bruyns, Herschelle Gibbs, H.D.Ackerman, Loots Bosman, Martin Van Jaarsveld, Ashwell Prince, Nic Pothas, Derek Crookes, Herman Bakkes, Alan Dawson, Henry Williams, Claude Henderson.
South African arrive in Kandy
There has been a big change in the weather up in Kandy yesterday as bright sunshine greeted the South African 'A' team cricketers who arrive in the hill capital on Monday evening to play their first four day unofficial cricket test against Sri Lanka 'A' which begins today (Wednesday) at the Asgiriya Stadium.
The covers were removed and the wicket allowed to dry and the outfield is also being mown. The Cricket Board has sent six covers to Asgiriya to cover the wicket and the bowlers run up. In addition it is also expected to send the super soppier to meet any contingency of bad weather. Curator of the Asgiriya Stadium Mr. Roger Abeyratne said that if the weather keeps till late evening, then an early start of the match could be made.
Regional Board Secretary Kandy Mr. Janaka Pathirana said that the weather gods have been kinder yesterday and diverted their attention elsewhere, so that play will be possible on time. The tickets have been priced at Rs. 50 (grandstand) and Rs. 10 (terraces and standing). For the first time the old pavilion will be allocated as Members Stand and the President and Secretary of the 35 clubs which are affiliated to the Kandy District CA will be accommodated here.
The South African cricketers who arrived at the Asgiriya Stadium around 1 p.m. yesterday and in order to exert themselves played tap rugger and soccer before having practices.
The Sri Lanka 'A' led by former Antonian allrounder Sajtih Fernando is expected to arrive later in the day and both teams will be put up at La Kandyan Hotel.