Sanath Jayasuriya to lead Greats XI

By Bipin Dani

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya will lead the Greats XI in the exhibition match against Team Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is hosting a charity T20 match on May 4 between the two teams to raise funds to fight Covid-19.

Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the managing committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said, "Now the match between the former cricketers and the other players of the country will be known as Greats versus Team Sri Lanka".

"The match will be played on May 4 as planned at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. We wanted to invite a few greats from Australia and other countries, where they are presently settled but the current COVID pandemic situation would not allow it".

"We also had plans to open this match partially for the fans but it has now been decided to play without spectators".

"This T20 match will be played for a noble cause. Team Sri Lanka, likely to be led by Dasun Shanaka will be a combination of a few national players and youngsters.”

The Greats team will have former players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Farveez Mahroof, Upul Chandana, Upul Tharanga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kalusekera, and Hashan Tilakratne among others.

Lasith Malinga is unlikely to participate in the match.

The night match, played under floodlights, will be shown live on Sony TV.