Sri Lanka's teenage cricket stars on show today

by Ranjan Anandappa

Sri Lanka's Under 19 cricketers are bound to showcase what's in store when they confront their counterparts from Pakistan as the two sides meet each other in the first of the two three-day games at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium today (Sunday).

A good performance by the players on either side will no doubt take them far, as Sri Lanka in particular is on a quest to finding new blood for the future. The two three-day games and a 50-over match will be played at Hambantota and the remaining one dayers will be played in Colombo at the NCC and SSC grounds respectively.

Sri Lanka under 19 coach Roger Wijesuriya said that the players are raring to go and with the Pakistanis too possessing a strong outfit is equally confident the contest should be a stiff one for supremacy.

"The team is a well balanced one and is bound to give the young Pakistanis a run for their money. However, the strength of the two teams could be assessed only after watching how they perform. Pakistan at any level is a difficult side to beat." said the Sri Lankan coach.

Both teams feel that the present tour could be an ideal opportunity to build up for the Under 19 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh next year.

Most of the bowlers have been picked from schools playing in division two in the SLSCA tournaments. They will be playing in the first couple of three-day games and more players will be tried out in the one-day games.

A fast bowler, Asitha Fernando from St.Sebatian's Katuneriya, an off spinner Nishan Peiris from St.Peter's, Negombo and a right arm leg spinner Lakshina Fernando from De La Salle ,College, Mutuwal will be some of the players to watch.

Among the other fast bowlers are Lahiru Kumara from Trinity and Dilshan Sandaruwan from Rahula, Matara. The only left-arm leg spinner in the side is Dilan Nimesh from Prince Of Wales College, Moratuwa. The skipper of the side Charith Asalanka besides his batting couldcome in as an useful off spinner as he has proved in previous games. Sri Lanka's capable batting line up will be spearheaded by skipper and left -hander Charith Asalanka and Avishka Fernando who have scored heavily at the previous under 19 games followed by Kaveen Bandara, Salinda Ushan, Sammu Ashan, Malindu Hasaranga and S.Shanmuganathan who has shown plenty of promise during the under 17 domestic season at Trinity College. The wicket keeper will be either Vishal Randika or Lakshina Rodrigo.

The team from: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Kaveen Bandara, Salinda Ushan, Sammu Ashan, Malindu Hasaranga, Vishal Fernando, Lakshina Rodrigo, Shanogath Shanmuganathan, Lakiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dishan Sandaruwan, Nishan Peiris, Dilan Nimesh, Lakshina Fernando.