Match Preview: Kent vs. Sri Lanka Development XI
A Sri Lanka Development XI travel to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence to face Kent in a four-day, first-class match.
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It will be the first competitive tie in Sri Lanka’s Development squad’s tour of England, and will provide opportunity for Sri Lankan players to gain invaluable match experience in English conditions.
Much like England’s ‘Lions’ side, Sri Lanka’s Development XI aims to produce the next generation of Sri Lankan international cricketers.
Kent and a Sri Lankan representative side have faced-off eight times before, most recently a defeat for the Kent Spitfires at the hands of a full Sri Lanka one-day side in 2014, despite 4-58 from Kent seamer Robbie Joseph.
The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence will be the first host of a six-match touring schedule for the visitors, who will also take on other counties across May.
Entry to Kent vs. Sri Lanka Development XI will be complimentary to all 2022 Kent Members, and each day’s play will count as one day of the Six Pack and Six Pack Plus Ticket Bundles.
Designated seating will not be in place for this match, so Members will not be required to reserve seats in advance.
Last Time Out vs. Sri Lanka
Kent’s last match against a team representing Sri Lanka came in 2014 in a 50-over match at The Spitfire Ground, against Sri Lanka’s Men’s First Team.
View full scorecard (via ESPN Cricinfo)
Angelo Mathews hit fifty and Dinesh Chandimal an unbeaten 47 off 31 balls to set up a big win over Kent in Sri Lanka’s second tour match in England. Having put out a strong side – only Lasith Malinga was rested – Sri Lanka swept up a mixture of Kent first-teamers and irregulars for 173 on a cool, clear evening.
Suranga Lakmal immediately applied a tourniquet at the top of the innings, his opening spell of 4-1-10-2 providing both control and penetration. Alex Blake played neatly for his 60, which included reverse-sweeping Ajantha Mendis for four, but Thisara Perera plucked out key wickets during the middle overs and a long tail succumbed quickly.
Without the likes of Rob Key, Darren Stevens and Brendan Nash, a Kent target in excess of 300 proved too much for the Spitfires.
Opposition Report
Sri Lanka Development XI will be led by former Sri Lanka Under-19s Captain, Nipun Dananjaya, in all four-day matches that the side play whilst on tour to England.
Ruwan Kalpage, who coached Sri Lanka’s national team for a number of years and was later the assistant coach of the Bangladesh cricket team for many years, is the Head Coach of the team.
Yasiro Rodrigo was a part of the Sri Lanka Under-19s side that reached the Quarter Finals of this year’s Under-19 World Cup in the Caribbean.
Sri Lanka Development squad in full:
- Nipun Dananjaya (Captain)
- Ashen Bandara
- Lasith Croospulle
- Ashian Daniel
- Amshi de Silva
- Manelker de Silva
- Nuwanidu Fernando
- Santhush Gunathilake
- Dhananjaya Lakshan
- Udith Madushan
- Nishan Madushka
- Nipun Malinga
- Avishka Perera
- Nipun Ranshika
- Yasiro Rodrigo
- Dilum Sudeera
- Avishka Tharindu
- Dunith Wellalage
Matchday Information
Important matchday information for Members, Six Pack Ticket Bundle holders & those that have purchased matchday tickets can be accessed via the button below:
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Included is:
- Latest travel information
- Confirmation of the parking process for this match
& more.
Live Streaming
Kent vs. Sri Lanka Development will be streamed and embedded into the Match Centre on the Kent Cricket website.
As this match will not be covered live by BBC Radio Kent, the stream will carry no sound for all four days.
Team News
Jack Leaning will continue to captain the side as Men’s Head Coach Matt Walker names a 12-strong squad.
In a mixture of experience and young talent, Max Luckett and Billy Mead could be in-line to make first-class debuts for Kent, after having impressed for Kent’s Second XI this season.
‘Keeper-batter Mead has averaged 37.33 for the Second XI this season, including a debut knock of 76 against Northamptonshire Second XI at Polo Farm.
19-year-old right-arm seamer Luckett has been a part of Kent’s Second XI over the past three seasons, taking 11 wickets in nine matches.
Joe Denly is included in a squad for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury in Kent’s opening LV= Insurance County Championship match at Essex.
James Logan, Marcus O’Riordan, Harry Podmore & Jas Singh could all make their first appearances for the Men’s First XI this season.
Kent’s full Matchday Squad, presented by Black Opal Travel Group >>>
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The oldest rivalry in world cricket resumes as Kent welcome Surrey to The County Ground, Beckenham.
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