Sri Lanka pitted against tough nuts

By Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: Although a cricket tour of Malaysia cannot be classed as an ideal one for juniors, this particular under 19 tournament featuring England, India, Sri Lanka and host Malaysia is no doubt going to be a tough assignment for the youngsters when it gets under way on January 26 at the Kinsara Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Sri Lankans will be pitted against, England and host Malaysia in a triangular limited overs series, and will take on India in a separate three-day game from February 11 to 13. Thereafter India, England and Malaysia will meet each other in a triangular series.

There have been cricket tours to Malaysia on previous occasions, but the most significant one has been in 1993 when a fully-fledged under 20 side led by former Royal captain Gamini Perera had a short stint in Singapore and Malaysia. Cricketwise this strong team did not come across much opposition, with mostly expatriates from India, Sri Lanka included in the Malaysian side. Matches were played either on matting wickets or astro turf wickets.

However, Malaysia in a bid of hosting the 2008 under 19 World Cup and in view of improving their cricket has built cricket stadiums with turf strips and the Malaysian juniors will no doubt benefit immensely from it.

In that 1993, Sri Lanka under 20 team had the cream of the present day side with the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardena, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Saman Jayantha, Indika de Saram and Naveed Nawaz who all went to represent the country at the highest level of the game.

"We are very pleased to participate in this tournament as we know India and England are going to be very competitive and it will benefit all of us where cricket is concern," said coach Roger Wijesuriya.

"England are bound to field some county or minor county players and India too, should come out with their best side to provide an exciting tournament", he said.

"We are in preparation of the next under 19 World Cup which is scheduled to be held in Malaysia next year.

Besides a couple of players in the present outfit, the rest are eligible for selection next year, so it will be a good way of starting our preparations". said the Sri Lankan coach.

There are four seasoned players-namely skipper Pathirana, Ashan Priyanjana, Dimuth Karunaratne, Roshane Silva and Thisara Perera who were members of the 2006 under 19 World Cup that was held in Sri Lanka. According to coach Wijesuriya, the side's high point is their batting.

The Sri Lankan skipper Sachith Pathirana who is also the captain of Trinity College in the current year, was confident with the team given to him. "The team is a well- knit combination with a good balance. Both England and India are strong teams, but England's performance in the subcontinent has not been so impressive as they play in their conditions", said Pathirana.

The Sri Lankan under 19 squad: Sachith Pathirana (Trinity) Capt., Ashan Priyanjana (Nalanda) Vice-captain Dimuth Karunaratne ( St. Joseph's), Lahiru Thirimanne (Prince of Wales), Janitha Perera (Royal), Nisham Mazahir (S. Thomas', Mount Lavinia), Thisara Perera (St. Joseph's), Isuru Tillekeratne (DSSC), U.Manohara (Sri Devananda, Ambalangoda), Amal Atapattu (Nalanda), Sanjaya Fernando (St. Sebastian's), Wimanga Perera (Maliyadeva), Roshane Silva (St. Joseph's), Mohamed Feishal (St. Sylvester's).

Coach: Roger Wijesuriya. Manager Ashley de Silva, Physio. Ranjith Nanayakkarawasam, Schools representative: T. Rauff (Royal College) Standbys: Ishan Jayaratne (Wesley), Shivanga Ranasuriya (St.Peter's), Kanishka Boteju and Haroon Mowjood (Royal).