Sri Lanka Youth series amid cries of foul deeds

by Ranjan Anandappa

Sri Lanka will take on India and England in an Under-19 Triangular series which has been tainted by selection nepotism and parental uproar with a Youth World Cup just weeks away.

The Indian and England teams are already in the country but none in the host camp could hide the fact that the Sri Lankan side will be without the country’s best youth spin bowler in Lasith Embuldeniya who could not find a place in the final 15-member squad which is captained by Richmond College player Charith Asalanka.

“I won’t say anything (about who has not being selected). But the best balanced side will be selected (for the Youth World Cup)”, said Sri Lanka Under-19 coach Roger Wijesuriya.

Sri Lanka has until December 22 to submit its final 15-member squad for the Youth World Cup which starts on January 22 in Bangladesh.

But Embuldeniya, who represents Royal College and has taken more than 50 wickets in the current season, will not take the field with the Sri Lanka team at the Triangular which starts next week at the Premadasa stadium.

Wijesuriya said the occasion will help Sri Lanka to have a closer look at the players while the England and Indian managements will also use the series to prepare their respective teams for the Youth World Cup.

“We are looking at picking the best 15 players to form the best balanced side and may be one or two other players could also find a place”, said Wijesuriya, a former Sri Lanka left arm spinner. “Most of the players were together from the under 15 level and they have gone on quite a number of tours. The side has quite a number of all-rounders and we are fielding a very good side after some time.” quipped Wijesuriya.

Sri Lanka has another 15 players on stand-by. Questionable team selections are also reported to have drawn the wrath of parents of excluded players who attempted to take up their cases with the hierarchy of Sri Lanka Cricket and the Ministry of Sports ahead of the Triangular.

The Indian and England teams are said to be stronger than what Sri Lanka has with some of the members having already played first class cricket in their respective countries.

“This (Triangular) is a fantastic opportunity to galvanize the players ahead of the Youth World Cup besides it being an opportunity to play on sub-continental pitches”, said England coach Andy Hurry. The Indians are coached by ex-batting great Rahul Dravid and see the series as a further step to prepare for the Youth World Cup. “The boys have had some competitive cricket at home and on this occasion we will be looking to rotate the players in the squad and give them an opportunity to put their hands up for selection to the World Cup”, said Dravid.

The Indian team is led by Ricky Bhui who plays first class cricket in Andra Pradesh while England skipper Brad Taylor represented Hamshire.

Asked why Sri Lanka had ignored better spectator patronised venues in Galle and Pallekele and preferred the Premadasa stadium to host the Triangular, Carlton Bernadus the director of Cricket Operations said it was due to the threat of more rain outside Colombo.