Sri Lanka's first Under17 cricket tour of England - a success

By Ranjan Anandappa

The first-ever Under 17 cricket tour of England by a Sri Lankan Schools Team ended on a successful note when the Lankan lads won the three-day game by an innings and 72 runs, the one-day games ( 2-1) and drew the two encounter with their English counterparts on their short tour of the United Kingdom from April 8-25.

However, it was unfortunate that the tour was a very short one that included only one three-day game, a two day match and the three ODI's. If there had been more longer duration matches it would have been beneficial for both sides, as it is the longer version of the game that makes one a complete cricketer.

According to coach former Sri Lanka Test spinner Roger Wijesuriya, there were several players who stood out while on tour. Batsmen Sahan Arachchige a talented left-hander from Bandaranike MV, Gampaha who has now joined Ananda College, Colombo to enhance his cricketing talent, Avishaka Fernando of St.Sebastian's, College, Moratuwa and Kaveen Bandara of D.S. Senanayake College were the pick of the batsmen on tour. Sahan Arachchige hammered a century in the three-day game and a fifty in a one day match. Avishka Fernando and Kaveen Bandara were also among the runs.

Among the bowlers, Royalist and the captain of the side, Chamika Karunaratne handled the side well while spearheading the medium pace attack, well supported by Keshan Wijeratne, Asitha Madusanka and D.Somaweera.

The spinners Trinitian Raveen Sayer (off spin) and Cambrian Thilan Nimesh (Left -arm leg spin) and left- arm 'Chinaman' Thomian Ravindu Tillekeratne troubled their opponents.

Wijesuriya said that tours of this nature is imperative for the youngsters to forge ahead to improve their cricket career. Coach, Wijesuriya, himself being a Sri Lanka Under 19 player representing the country at that level against Australia in 1978, which included players like David Boon and Dirk Welham who captained the side, gained valuable experience through stiff exposure.

The following year 1979, Wijesuriya played against a strong Pakistan Under 19 team.

That Sri Lanka Under 19 team was captained by the late Thomian and Sri Lanaka Test wicket-keeper Guy de Alwis. It also included Sudath Pasqual and Ashantha de Mel just mention two players.

He further said that the tour was an ideal one in preparation for the Under 19 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates in February 2014, where most of the players of the Under 17 team will be eligible for selection.

At the moment there is a dearth of junior tours, but once the Under 19 World Cup gets closer, most probably there should be more Under 19 teams from other countries visiting the Island.