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| Sunday, 26 June 2005 |
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Big test for u-19 cricketers to come good in England - Coach Sumithra by Ranjan Anandappa Any cricket tour for young Test aspirants is an exciting experience. And of course a tour to England is no doubt something special, because every cricketer's dream, let it be senior or junior is to play in English conditions. In preparation for the under-19 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka next year, an under-19 team will be leaving for the U.K. on July 18 to meet their counterparts in two four-day unofficial Tests and three one-day internationals besides three side games. A well-knit combination has been selected after a series of trial games. "All the players who were on trial were closely monitored, prior to the selections that were done and the best combination has been selected. We are aware of the English conditions where the ball moves appreciably. The wickets prepared at the Khettarama nets are somewhat closer to that." said the former Sri Lanka Test wicketkeeper Ashley de Silva who will accompany the team as manager. Josephian Angelo Mathew will lead the side that which includes five fast bowlers, namely the skipper and Shalika Karunanayake, who are rated as two promising all-rounders, and Charles Fernando, Chatupama Gunasinghe and Nuwan Liyanapathirana. Nuwan is an 'unknown' quality from Wijaya College Matale. He is expected to add much vigour to the pace attack. Sachitra Serasinghe, besides his batting, is the off-spinner of the side. Dilhan Cooray also could bowl his off-spinners to good effect and Trinitian Sachith Pathirana fresh after a rich haul of wickets, is the left arm-spinner. The batting looks sound, revolving around wicketkeeper and deputy captain Sameera Soysa, Dimithri Siriwardena, Serasinghe, Dilhan Cooray, the two Pieris' Ashan and Lahiru and Prabudha Perera. "The side looks formidable, but the big test will be to come good in England. However, the outcome of the tour cannot be predicted, as in England we know conditions differ from place to place. The matches will be played in northern England and the weather keeps on changing," said coach Sumithra Warnakulasuriya. It all depends as to how quickly our players adjust themselves to the conditions. As some say if the summer is a good one, with good batting wickets our players are bound enjoy their stay at the wicket. But if the ball starts moving things won't be easy for us, he said. The team Angelo Mathew (Captain - St. Joseph's), Sameera Soysa (Wicketkeeper) Vice-captain, (Maliyadeva Kurunegala), Dimithri Siriwardena (Royal), Sachitra Serasinghe (Nalanda), Dilhan Cooray (St. Sebastian's, Moratuwa), Prabudha Perera and Lahiru Pieris (St.Peter's), Ashan Pieris (S.Thomas'), Chatura Herath (Ananda, Wicketkeeper), Shalika Karunanayake (Maliyadeva), Charles Fernando (St. Sebastian's), Chatupama Gunasinghe (Richmond), Nuwan Liyanapathirana (Wijaya, Matale), Sachith Pathirana (Trinity). Coach: Sumithra Warnakulasuriya. Manager: Ashley de Silva. The tour itinerary July 19 arrival at Heathrow Airport. July 20-21 - Practice at ECB
National Academy. July 22-23 - Two-day game against ECB Schools XI. July 24
- Practice, July 25 - One-day match agaisnt ECB Schools XI, July 26 - First
ODI vs England Under-19 at Worcester, July 28 - Second ODI vs England at Old
Trafford, July 29 - Third ODI at Old Trafford, July 31-August 1 - SLU19 vs
ECB two-day match at Linconshire, August 3 to 6 - First unofficial Test at
Shenley Cricket Club, August 9-12 - Second unofficial Test at Scarborough
CC, Yorkshire, August 15 to 18 - Third unofficial Test at Leeds, August 19 -
Travel to Heathrow, August 20 - Depart UK for Sri Lanka. |
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