Royal’s Sineth Jayawardena to lead Sri Lanka U19

By M. Shamil Amit

The selectors of Sri Lanka Cricket have selected Sineth Jayawardena of Royal College Colombo to lead the 15-member Sri Lanka Under-19 team for the forthcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held from December 8–17 in three venues in Dubai.

The team comprises players who were members of the team, namely skipper Jayawardena, his deputy Malsha Tharupathi, Dinura Kalupahana, Vihas Thewmika, Garuka, Sanketh, Vishwa Lahiru, Pulindu Perera, Ruvishan Perera, Rusanda Gamage, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Ravishan Nethsara, and Vishen Halambage, who tasted success against the West Indies U19 played at home soil and Pakistan U19 played in Pakistan. Also coming into the team are hard-hitter Hirun Kapurubandara and all-rounder Dinuka Tennekoon.

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, which are divided into two groups of four each, and will kick off with the first match between defending champions India and Afghanistan, while runner-up Sri Lanka will play their first match against debutants Japan on November 9.

The matches are scheduled to be played in three venues, namely 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 IS Wattala), Ruvishan Perera (Ananda), Rusanda Gamage (St. Peter’s), Hirun Kapurubandara (St. Joseph’s Colombo), Dinuka Tennekoon (Trinity), Duvindu Ranatunga (Mahanama)

Reserves: Janith Fernando (St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa), Supun Waduge (Trinity)