Sri Lanka face WI in U-19 World Cup Super Six

Sri Lanka have managed to come on top thanks to their bowlers (Pic courtesy ICC) 

By M. Shamil Amit  

The Super Sixes segment of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup will get underway with Sri Lanka taking on the West Indies in Kimberley, South Africa today.  
The other teams to qualify are the defending champions India, who topped Group ‘A’ along with Bangladesh and Ireland. Group ‘B’ consists of South Africa, England and the West Indies.  
Group ‘C’ teams are Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe while Group ‘D’ teams are Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal.  

Sri Lanka led by Sineth Jayawardena and West Indies led by Stephen Pascal will lock horns after five months following their tour to the Island nation, in which the host side came out victorious in the three-match Youth ODI series 2-1.  

Sri Lanka won their first two matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia and lost to Australia while the West Indies began with a defeat to South Africa before securing back-to-back wins against Scotland and England.  

On paper, the two teams look evenly balanced and an interesting contest is on the cards. Sri Lanka will look to continue their dominance while the West Indies will look to avenge that previous series defeat.  

The Sri Lanka batting is of much concern as they have struggled for runs in both outings but have managed to come on top thanks to some fine bowling from Malsha Tharupathi, Vishwa Lahiru, all-rounder Dinura Kalupahana and Ruvishan Perera.  

The Sri Lankan batting is yet to click well and much will be expected from Pulindu Perera, Vishen Halambage and Skipper Jayawardene.  
The key player for the West Indies will be Jewel Andrew, who made a century (130) against South Africa followed by an unbeaten 64 against Scotland.  

They have batsmen of the calibre of Skipper Stephen, Jordan Johnson, Nathan Sealy, Nathan Edward and Mavendra Dindyal who have made useful contributions while they will depend on Nathan Edward, Isai Thorne, Raneico Smith and Tarrique Edward in the bowling department.  

The Teams: Sri Lanka Under-19 (From): Sineth Jayawardena (Captain), Pulindu Perera, Hirun Kapurubandara, Ravishan Nethsara, Rusanda Gamage, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Dinura Kalupahana, Malsha Tharupathi, Vishva Lahiru, Garuka Sanketh, Duvindu Ranatunga, Ruvishan Perera, Supun Waduge, Vihas Thewmika and Vishen Halambage.  

 West Indies Under-19 (From): Stephen Pascal (Captain), Nathan Sealy, Jewel Andrew, Mavendra Dindyal, Joshua Dorne, Nathan Edward, Tarrique Edward, Reon Edwards, Deshawn James, Jordan Johnson, Devonie Joseph, Raneico Smith, Isai Thorne, Steve Wedderburn and Adrian Weir.