Viyaskanth gets big break, but will he play?

Uncapped leg spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has been selected to join a renamed Sri Lanka squad for the Triangular T20 cricket series in Pakistan that commenced yesterday.

He was part of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side contesting the on-going Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Qatar and if he plays in the Triangular he would become the first cricketer from Jaffna to wear the Sri Lanka cap.
Vijayakanth, who will celebrate his 24th birthday next month, is a product of Jaffna Central College who now plays for the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in Colombo.

He was first discovered by the humanitarian organisation the Foundation of Goodness set up by Kushil Gunasekera, the former First Class cricketer and the ex-Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket and awarded a two-year scholarship by courtesy of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in England.

He was then a raw schoolboy being mentored by the Jaffna Central College coach Suresh Morgan who saw the potential in him and alerted another cricketer from Jaffna, Ratnam Edin who played for Tamil Union.

Viyaskanth had a major break come his way when he was selected by the Sunrises Hyderabad to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season.

Viyaskanth has been drafted into the squad as cover for Wanindu Hasaranga who is yet to fully recover from what is said to be a hamstring tightness he suffered during the ODI series against Pakistan which Sri Lanka lost 3-0.

Sri Lanka will meet Zimbabwe on Thursday in Rawalpindi before meeting Pakistan at the same venue on Saturday.

Also taken into the squad is batsman Pavan Ratnayake in place of Charith Asalanka who has returned home after the ODI series.

Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Pavan Ratnayake, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Viyaskanth Vijayakanth