Nipun Dhananjaya to lead Sri Lanka 19 against India U19
Allrounder Nipun Dhananjaya skipper of St Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa has been selected to lead the Sri Lanka Under 19 squad of 15 players for the forthcoming series against the India Under 19 which is scheduled to get underway with the first Youth Test match to be played on July 17.
Nipun was a member of the Sri Lanka U19 side in the concluded ICC U19 World Cup played in New Zealand earlier this year. The squad comprises four other players who played in the ICC U19 World Cup namely Kalana Perera of S. Thomas’, Nishan Madushka of Moratu MV, Nuwanidu Fernando of St Sebastian’s Moratuwa and Nipun Malinga of Mahinda Galle.
Included in the squad are Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamil Mishara who both had successful inter-school and provincial tournament cricket this year.
The two teams are scheduled to play two Youth Tests and five limited over matches. The limited over matches are scheduled to be played after the completion of the second Youth Test matches from July 30. The tour will conclude with the fifth ODI slotted to be played on August 10.
Match Schedule:
July 17-20 – First Youth Test at NCC. July 24-27 – Second Youth Test at Sooriyawewa Stadium. July 30 – first ODI at P. Sara Stadium. August 2 – Second ODI at SSC. August 5 – Third ODI at SSC. August 7 – Fourth ODI at De Zoysa Moratuwa. August 10 – Fifth ODI at De Zoysa Moratuwa.
The Sri Lanka U19 Squad:
Nipun Dhananjaya (Capt – St Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa), Nishan Madushka (Moratu MV), Nuwanidu Fernando (St Sebastian’s Moratuwa), Kalana Perera (S. Thomas’), Nipun Malinga (Mahinda Galle), Pasindu Sooriyabandara (Royal Colombo), Kamil Mishara (Royal Colombo), Navod Paranavithana (Mahinda Galle), Sandun Mendis (Richmond), Dunith Wellalage (St Joseph’s Colombo), Pubudu Bandara (Trinity), Navodya Wijekumara (St Anthony’s Katugastota), Kalhara Senaratne (St Anthony’s Katugastota), Shashika Dulshan (St Servatius Matara), Navin Fernando (Maris Stella).
Standbys – Chihan Kalindu (St Servatius Matara), Vijayakanth Viyasanth (Jaffna Central), Sonal Dinusha (Mahanama Colombo) and, Lakshitha Rasanjana (Nalanda).