The mighty Joe – Wellalage to lead Lankan Youth side
St. Joseph’s College, Maradana’s skipper and spinner, Dunith Wellalage’s fine run of form as a player and leader has gifted him leading his country’s Under-19 squad for their first assignment, starting later this week. Joining his 18-year-old U-19 captain, having returned to the squad in an unusual manner, are two of his fellow Joes making up the Darley road representation.
Wellalage proved he’s worth his weight, when he led his side by example stroking a 71 and bagging five wickets against Royal. From the other Colombo schools, Ryan Fernando from S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia also joins his college mate, Yasiru Rodrigo, already a U-19 cap.
However, in surprise news, only a single royalist has made the cut with that being – Sadisha Rajapaksa. Representing Trinity are Pawan Pathiraja and Matheesha Pathirana, also dubbed as the junior Malinga.
The squad now stationed in Dambulla, is gearing for their first assignment against Bangladesh, the defending champions of the U-19 World Cup. The five-match Youth One Day International series gets underway this Friday (15).
Sri Lanka U-19 squad: Dunith Wellalage (Capt), Sadeesha Jayawardena, Shevon Daniel (St. Joseph’s, Maradana), Ryan Fernando and Yasiru Rodrigo (S. Thomas’), Raveen de Silva and Vinuja Ranpul (Nalanda), Jeewaka Shasheen and Sasanka Nirmal (Devapathiraja, Rathgama), Pawan Pathiraja and Matheesha Pathirana- (Trinity), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Treveen Mathews and Lahiru Abeysinghe (St. Anthony’s, Katugastota), Sadisha Rajapaksa (Royal), Harindu Jayasekara (St. Thomas’, Matara), Lahiru Dawatage, Wanuja Sahan and Danal Hemananda (St. Peter’s), Malsha Tharupathi (Madampe Central)