Mahela to join U-19 World Cup squad in West Indies

By Bipin Dani

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene will join the ICC Under-19 World Cup squad in the West Indies, it is learnt. 

The 44-year-old, who has recently been appointed consultant coach for Sri Lanka’s seniors, under-19s, and ‘A’ team for one year, will leave for the Caribbean islands later this month.

Jayawardene has also been assigned to select the coaching staff for the various positions and is likely to have floated the process.  

The same squad with no changes, which recently lost the U-19 Asia Cup final against India in the UAE, left directly from Dubai to Guyana (via London and Barbados) yesterday morning (Emirates Airways, British Airways, and local flight). There were no outdoor activities scheduled for the players on Saturday. 

“There has been no change in the team or the support staff”, said one of the SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) board sources exclusively over the telephone. 

“Ranjith Madhursinghe, who travelled with the team for the Asia Cup, will also continue to be the tour selector for the World Cup,” the source further added. 

The team will spend five days in quarantine before beginning training ahead of its first match against Scotland on January 14. 

The final of the ICC U-9 World Cup will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on February 5.