SLC to probe reasons for failure, after juniors follow seniors’ WC plight
In response to the underwhelming performance of the national Under-19 cricket team during Asia Cup and the World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has summoned the team management for a review meeting on Monday. The decision to convene the meeting comes after Sri Lanka’s junior cricket team struggled to make an impact during the World Cup.
Sri Lanka youth beat Zimbabwe and Namibia before losing their final first round game to Australia during the World Cup. In the Super Six round, they were soundly beaten by West Indies and hosts South Africa, shattering its hope in entering the knockout stage of the tournament.
At the Asia Cup which preceded the World Cup, Sri Lanka lost both their first round matches to UAE and Bangladesh.
SLC sources said that officials are expected to scrutinise various aspects of the U-19 team’s performance, including player form, strategy implementation, coaching methodologies, overall team dynamics and more importantly the team selection. Sri Lanka team was coached by Jehan Mubarak, the former Sri Lanka international cricketer. Sri Lanka boast of having the best school structure in cricket but has never laid their hands on the trophy. Their biggest achievement was being runners-up to India when Sri Lanka hosted the tournament in 2000.