Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) conducted a talent search programme in Polonnaruwa and said it unearthed as many as 185 would-be players most of whom can be earmarked for further grooming.
Of the number 170 were boys and the rest girls mostly from schools in the Polonnaruwa district.
They belonged to the age category of between 13 to 23.
“Among the selected were talented batters, bowlers, allrounders and wicket keepers who will be further trained by directing them Performance Centres established to cover the seven divisional secretariats of the district,” SLC said in a statement.
It said the players will be further graded and those will good potential will be absorbed into schools that play hard ball cricket.
SLC said the project will spread to other parts of the country as well.