27 Sep 2012

Teenager Dananjaya could stand in for injured Mendis

7:14 am on 27 September 2012

An uncapped teenage Sri Lankan spin bowler could face New Zealand at the World Twenty20 at Pallekele tonight.

The hosts may turn to the 18-year-old Akila Dananjaya if spinner Ajantha Mendis fails to recover from a side strain injury in time for Super Eight game against the Black Caps.

Dananjaya, who bowls four varieties of spin, could be a useful weapon.

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor expects spin to play a part in the Super Eights as all matches will be double-headers.

Taylor says spin has been very successful in the T20 form of the game and with two games, the wicket could deteriorate and take a bit of turn for the second game and not the first game.

He says the main message is to be aggressive and not let Sri Lanka settle.