The Sri Lankan T-20 cricket team has embarked on a rigorous training schedule in the United States, signaling their preparations for the upcoming cricketing extravaganza. Set against the backdrop of North Carolina’s Church Street Park grounds, the team commenced their practice sessions last Thursday, with a commitment to honing their skills until May 25 before transitioning to Florida for further preparatory matches.
In an exclusive interview with Daily News, Sri Lanka cricket team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, shed light on the team’s training regime and upcoming plans. Despite encountering rain, which necessitated indoor training sessions for fielding drills on Saturday, the team remained undeterred in their pursuit of readiness.
The squad’s cohesion is set to strengthen with the impending arrival of key players, Kusal Mendis and Asitha Fernando, scheduled to join the team next week. Additionally, Janith Liyanage and throwing coach Vimukthi are anticipated to overcome visa hurdles shortly, bolstering the team’s support staff. Sri Lanka Cricket has taken proactive measures, investing its own resources to kickstart training operations until ICC arrangements take effect from May 25 onwards.
Adjusting to the nuances of a new environment, including the time difference, remains a focal point for the players. Manager Mahinda Halangoda emphasized the similarities in weather conditions, with temperatures hovering around 27-28 degrees Celsius, ensuring a seamless transition for the team.
Amidst the anticipation of further reinforcements with Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera, fresh from their engagements in the IPL tournament in India, the team’s dynamics are poised for enhancement in the coming days.
Looking ahead, the team’s itinerary is brimming with preparatory matches, with warm-up encounters against Netherlands and Ireland slated for May 28 and 31 in Florida. The spotlight then shifts to the inaugural clash of the T-20 World Cup, where host nation USA faces off against Canada on June 2 in Dallas, coinciding with a match between West Indies and Papua New Guinea at Providence.
Sri Lanka’s campaign unfolds with a match against South Africa on June 3, marking a historic occasion as Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York plays host to its maiden international fixture. Subsequent fixtures against Bangladesh in Dallas on June 7 offer brief respites for training amidst the tournament’s fervent pace.
As the team braces for encounters against Nepal and Netherlands on June 12 and beyond, the stakes escalate with the looming Super Eight round, where the top-performing teams will vie for supremacy.
In traversing the landscapes of the USA, the Sri Lankan cricket team’s journey epitomizes resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination—a testament to their unwavering pursuit of excellence on the global stage.
