BCCSL takes cautious step by dropping Junaid (11 February 1999)

11 February 1999

BCCSL takes cautious step by dropping Junaid

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka already embroiled in the Muthiah Muralitharan chucking controversy, have taken the sensible and cautious step of preventing another bowler from being humiliated by dropping off-spinner Arshad Junaid from the under-19 team picked for the tour of India starting later this month.

Junaid, a former D.S. Senanayake cricketer now with CCC, has the potential to become a frontline off-spinner if not for his unusual bowling action. He has already been called for throwing by one of Sri Lanka's Test umpires at an under 23 match, and although he was in the training squad for India, the selectors have thought that prevention was better than cure, and left him out of the final team of 15 players.

According to Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) sources, Junaid's bowling action has been filmed and he is currently under supervision from Somachandra de Silva, the former Sri Lanka Test leg-spinner, who is the BCCSL's coach for spin bowling, to correct his action.

The BCCSL finally received the 'go ahead' for the tour from the Indian Cricket Board yesterday. The tour which was originally scheduled to have taken place last December was in the balance for some time.

A revised itinerary sent by the Indian Board, comprises a solitary 4-day Test, one 3-day match and four one-day internationals. BCCSL sources said that they have requested for the 3-day game to be replaced by an additional 4-day Test.

The itinerary

February 20: Arrival
February 22-24: 3-day match at Mumbai
February 27-March 2: One-off under 19 at Gwalior
March 5: 1st under 19 ODI at Gwalior
March 7: 2nd under 19 ODI at Gwalior
March 9: 3rd ODI at Delhi
March 11: 4th ODI at Delhi
March 12: Departure.

The Sri Lanka Under 19 team to India
(subject to Sports Ministry ratification)

Upekha Fernando, captain (S. Thomas', ML/SSC)
Prasanna Jayawardene (NCC)
Ian Daniels (St. Joseph's, Colombo)
Jerome Fernando (St. Peter's)
Thilina Kandamby (Ananda)
Malintha Gajanayake (D.S. Senanayake)
Chamara Silva (Royal Panadura/Panadura SC)
Duminda Perera (Bloomfield)
Prabath Nissanka (Sri Rahula, Matara/Matara SC)
Sathpath Kelum (Sri Rahula/Matara SC)
Jehan Mubarak (Royal)
Sujeeva Silva (Kalutara MV/Kalutara TC)
Ranil Dammika (Lumbini/NCC)
Malinga Bandara (NCC)
Nalin Wijesinghe (Sebastianites)

Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net)

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