Wellington offers to train Sri Lankan youngsters

Cricket Wellington is offering young Sri Lankan players the opportunity to train and play in New Zealand as part of its Wellington School of Cricket programme. Asoka Weerasundra, the business manager of Wellington School of Cricket, was in Colombo to recruit players, who will have to pay NZ$ 7500 (US$ 5000) for the chance to train at the Westpac Stadium.

Depending on their performance, players - 15 years and above - could get a chance to play in the Wellington League. "It's a great opportunity for cricket players," Weerasundra told the Colombo-based Island. "For those who join us for the annual course, we'll give them the opportunity to play cricket during the summer and they can follow the Level I coaching course during winter."

The Westpac Stadium has five full-size bowling nets, two bowling machines, two-way simultaneous video and full changing facilities. The Basin Reserve ground, where Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 217 runs in 2006, is also in Wellington.