U19 Women’s T20 World Cup: Gunaratne the key as SL out to impress in South Africa

Skipper Vishmi Gunaratne holds the key to Sri Lanka's fortunes as the Asian side attempts to impress under the coaching of former all-rounder Shashikala Siriwardene.

Squad:
Vishmi Gunaratne (c), Dahami Sanethma, Umaya Rathnayake, Rashmi Nethranjalee, Rashmika Sewwandi, Dewmi Vihanga, Manudi Nanayakkara, Sumudu Nisansala, Pamoda Shaini, Vidushika Perera, Dulanga Dissanayake, Rishmi Sanjana, Nethmi Senarathne, Harini Perera, Vihara Sewwandi

Schedule:
January 14 v USA - Willowmoore Park B Field, Benoni - 5.15 p.m. (SL Time)
January 16 v Bangladesh - Willowmoore Park B Field, Benoni 1.30 p.m. (SL Time)
January 18 v Australia - Willowmoore Park, Benoni 1.30 p.m. (SL Time)

Key Player - Vishmi Gunaratne

If Sri Lanka are going to progress through to the final stages of this event then there is no doubt that their 17-year-old skipper must fire with the bat.

Gunaratne is the only player in Sri Lanka's squad with senior experience, with the right-hander making her international debut during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last year.

The classy opener hit a stylish 26* on debut in a victory over Kenya and then followed that up with an impressive 45 during the second match of Sri Lanka's T20I series against India the same month.

With a strong record through her teens and a bright future predicted, much will be expected of Gunaratne in South Africa.

Expectations:

With former all-rounder Shashikala Siriwardene at the helm as coach, Sri Lanka will be hoping to make it out of their group and qualify for the Super Six phase of the tournament at the very least.

Siriwardene had an international career that spanned over 16 years and the 37-year-old will be looking to bring all her experience and guile to the young Sri Lankan squad.

Just how far they progress will much depend on how skipper Vishmi Gunaratne fares with the bat, but there is no doubting her quality and the 17-year-old opener is one to keep an eye on throughout the tournament.

Sri Lanka have winnable matches against USA and Bangladesh to commence their campaign and can definitely make it out of their group by earning a top three finish with a pair of good performances.

While their final group match against Australia is sure to prove difficult, Sri Lanka will be hoping they have done enough through their first two matches to ensure progression.