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| Sunday, 26 October 2003 |
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Sri Lanka u-19 to gain much from Asian Quadrangular for World Cup next year by RANJAN ANANDAPPA Former Sri Lanka 'Test' leg spinner D. Somachandra de Silva who has taken over as the coach of the under-19 national cricket team that is bound to tour Pakistan for the Videocon Asian Quadrangular limited-over series is determined to bind the team into a match winning unit. The team will leave for Pakistan on October 28 and the Lankans will meet India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the tournament that will end on November 6th. 'DS' as he was known in the cricketing circles was earlier in charge of the juniors in year 2000 under 19 World Cup which was held in Sri Lanka and guided the side into the final lost to India. Under his guidance, he has helped to produce some fine younger generation cricketers like Jehan Mubarak, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Prabath Nissanka, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Akalanka Ganegama who have all represented the country either at Test or one-day International level. After a coaching stint in Darmoth and a minor county in Birmingham England, 'DS' is happy to be with the youngsters who are no doubt the future 'Test' cricketers and his advice and guidance will no doubt be an asset to the juniors. "I took over just two weeks ago and we have played a couple of practice games and I am in the process of sorting out the strength and the weaknesses in the batting order and the bowling department," said de Silva. "My prime concern is the under 19 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh in February 2004 and the present tour will no doubt be a guide line in selecting the final squad for the World Cup," De Silva added. D. S. de Silva was a member of the inaugural 'Test' match in 1982 against England since gaining full Test status and has also represented the country at the first World Cup held in England in 1975. He has played in 12 Test matches. He said that the present side is a good one and had no intention in correcting the technique of the players during the short period of time since taking over as coach. His main aim is for the under-19 team to perform well at the World Cup and the Pakistan tour will immensely help to find the right combination. Players who perform well in the 2003/04 school and provincial tournament will also be considered for selection for the World Cup. 'DS' hopes to improve mental toughness in view of players going for big innings which cannot be done overnight. However, in this particular tournament, the teams will meet only once against each other and fewer number of mistakes only could be permitted. Observer - Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2003 Ferveez mahroof of Wesley captains the team. The team: Ferveez Maharoof (captain, Wesley College), Ganganath Ratnayake (vice captain, Royal), Damindu Kularatne (Ananda), Upul Tharanga (Dharmasoka), Harsha Vitharana (St. Aloysius, Galle), Kosala Kulasekera (Vidyartha), Kaushal Silva (S. Thomas' Mount Lavinia - wicket keeper), Gihan de Silva (St. Peter's), Sandun Dias and Angelo Mathews (St. Joseph's), Sudeera Soysa (D.S.Senanayake), Manoj Chanaka (Royal, Panadura), Suraj Mohamed (Rahula, Matara), Tharaka Kottehewa (Royal, Colombo), Coach: D. S. de Silva, Manager Rohan Cooray, Ashley de Silva (Selector), Srilal Abeywardena (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, Schools representative), Ranjith Nanayakkarawasam (Physio), Umpire Gamini Silva. The itinerary: October 31 - Pakistan vs Bangladesh at National Stadium, Karachi, Sri Lanka vs India at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, November 1 - (Rest), November 2 - India vs Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at National Stadium, Karachi, November 3 - (Rest). November 4 - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka at National Stadium Karachi, India vs Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, November 5 - (Rest), November 6 - Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. |
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