[chaminda_00]

Colts have made their first unforced change of the season with manager Tharmi Loganthan dropping Shikhar Dhawan from the 1st. After a disappointing start to the season where the man that averaged 60 with the bat at the start of season has yet to pass fifty this season, Dhawan has been dropped to 2nds to find some form, so say the Colts management. But many around Colombo feel this could be the end of the road for the Indian middle order batsmen at Hevelock Stadium. After getting dropped as vice captain of the 2nd XI and now getting dropped as from 1st, things seem to be getting worse for Dhawan. Many feel that departure of former 2nd XI manager Thamba Mamesh, who was the main man behind his move from ACT to Colts during the pre-season, is major reason from his dropping in status from the future of the Colts, to being not needed.

The man that will replace Dhawan is Colts juinor Thiru Alwis, who has been scoring runs for fun in 2nds, including a chanceless hundred against Victoria last game. Alwis promotion means that Andrew Symonds will take over as vice captain for the 2nds. In the other change rookie spinner Mahela El Zabir comes in for injuried seamer Upul Gordon. Murali Mudugalle who was vice captain last time Alwis played 1sts, is likely to take the new bowl after his success during the last First Class, with the new cherry. Although there is some suggestion that England Test Batsman Ian Bell could open the bowling with his part time medium pacers.