Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka’s 26-year-old Milan Rathnayake has been included in the training squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan, it is learnt.
According to the well-placed sources in the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket), the head coach (Chris Silverwood) was highly impressed with fast bowler Milan Rathnayake’s performance in the domestic matches, especially when the bowler did well in the recent Invitational tournament where he played for the SSC Grey team.
“Milan is a regular fast bowler in our main team at Moors Sports Club and the head coach and selectors have been keeping close eye on him. They were impressed with his bowling and now want to monitor his success and groom him for the future”, Chamara Kapugedara the coach at the club, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said.
With injuries to the fast bowlers in the team it was a wise decision to test Milan’s potentiality. “We are very happy with his selection in the squad. It is a proud moment for us. To-day he is in the standby team but I am sure the day will not be far when he also finds his name in the main squad”, the player’s mother RM Reeta Rathnayake said.
Incidentally, Milan’s father RMR Rathnayake was a soldier and is a pensioner now. Undoubtedly, the soldier’s son is a well-disciplined boy in the training squad.
The team which has been sent to the sports minister for his final approval is yet to be announced.
