ICC Under 19 World Cup Sri Lanka, West Indies square off for quarter-final berth

Matheesha Pathirana took 2 for 34 against Australia

By M. Shamil Amit

The high-riding Sri Lanka U19, who have chalked up two wins from two in Group D, will clash with hosts West Indies U19 for a berth to the quarter-final of the ICC U19 World Cup today.

Sri Lanka U19, led by all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, has had a successful stint so far maintaining an unbeaten record. Skipper Wellalage has been at the forefront, having two five-wicket hauls and a half ton.Wellalage ended with impressive figures of 5 for 27 against Scotland U19 in the first match and then 5 for 28 against Australia U19, also making a valuable knock of 52 after his side were in a bad position of 49 for 4 before going on to record a comfortable four-wicket win.

Wellalage is the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and Sri Lanka will no doubt be looking for a repeat of those performances.

The Sri Lanka U19 will be hoping for contributions from first match top performers Sakuna Liyanage, deputy skipper Raveen de Silva, ChaminduWickramasinghe and Sadisha Rajapakse along with Anjala Bandara, Shevon Daniel and Ranuda Somaratne to put their head down if the team is to make any headway.

In the bowling department much will be expected from Matheesa Pathirana and Daniel, who made useful contributions in the warm-up match but has not been successful so far. De Silva and Chamindu Wickramasinghe will also be expected to curtail the opposition. West Indies U19, who suffered a defeat to Australia U19 in the first match, came back to chalk up an easy win against the Scotland U19.

Australia U19, the other team in this group who have won two of their three matches, will be hoping for Sri Lanka U19 to defeat the West Indies U19 if they are to make it to the quarter -finals.