Royal’s Sineth Jayawardena to lead Sri Lanka Youth
Sineth Jayawardena
Sineth Jayawardena of Royal College will lead the 15-member Sri Lanka Under-19 team for the forthcoming ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup scheduled to be held from December 8 to 17 in three venues in Dubai.
The team includes Malsha Tharupathi as vice captain, Dinura Kalupahana, Vihas Thewmika, Garuka, Sanketh, Vishwa Lahiru, Pulindu Perera, Ruvishan Perera, Rusanda Gamage, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Ravishan Nethsara and Vishen Halambage. This same team tasted success against the West Indies U-19 played at home soil and Pakistan U-19 played in Pakistan. The selectors have also included hard hitter Hirun Kapurubandara and allrounder Dinuka Tennekoon.
However, the team is yet to be ratified by the Minister of Sports. The players underwent strenuous training at Pallekele under the guidance of head coach Jehan Mubarak, his assistant Sampath Perera, fast bowling Coach Chamila Gamage, spin coach Sachith Pathirana and fielding coach Gayan Wijekoon. Former Sri Lanka player Jayantha Seneviratne will accompany the team as manager.
The tournament will see eight teams in the fray, divided into two groups of four in each. The Youth Asia Cup will kick off with the first match between defending champions India and Afghanistan while runners-up Sri Lanka will play their first match against debutants Japan on November 9.
The matches are scheduled to be played at three venues namely the ICC Academy Oval 1, ICC Academy Oval 2 and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
| The Squad: Sineth Jayawardena (Captain – Royal), Malsha Tharupathi (Vice Captain – Richmond), Pulindu Perera (Dharmaraja), Vishen Halambage (St. Peter’s), Ravishan Nethsara (P de S. Kularatne MV Ambalangoda), Sarujan Shanmuganathan (St. Benedict’s), Dinura Kalupahana (Mahinda Galle), Vihas Thewmika (Thurstan), Vishwa Lahiru (Sri Sumangala Panadura), Garuka Sanketh (Lyceum Wattala), Ruvishan Perera (Ananda), Rusanda Gamage (St. Peter’s), Hirun Kapurubandara (St. Joseph’s), Dinuka Tennekoon (Trinity), Duvindu Ranatunga (Mahanama) Reserves: Janith Fernando (St. Joseph Vaz), Supun Waduge (Trinity) | |