Cricket: Sri Lanka call uncapped player for Tests

COLOMBO: Uncapped fast-bowler Kanishka Alvitigala and seamer Dhammika Prasad have flown out to South Africa to join Sri Lanka’s Test squad, according to team officials. Sri Lanka, who were crushed in the first Test by an innings and 81 runs, had requested replacements after pace-bowler Nuwan Pradeep was injured during a warm-up game in Benoni. The 25-year-old Alvitigala has taken 51 first-class wickets in 25 matches with a career-best of five for 34. He has been part of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team and toured England earlier this year. Injury-prone Prasad, 28, has featured in eight Tests, taking five wickets on debut against India in 2008.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.