St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa run-machine, Avishka Fernando has been named as the captain of the Sri Lanka U19 team for the upcoming home series against the South Africa U19s.
The junior national selection committee has named a 15-member squad and 3 replacements for the first Youth Test and will make necessary changes if required for the remaining matches.
Right-handed top-order batsman, Fernando has been a prolific run-getter for the Sri Lanka U19s in the recent past since he was drafted into the team last year. He made 153 runs in 6 matches in the ICC Under 19 World Cup, 2016 where Sri Lanka ended as the fourth-ranked team under the leadership of Charith Asalanka.
Fernando led St. Sebastian’s College to the U19 Schools Limited-Overs Championship and helped his alma mater become joint champions of the U19 Schools League Tournament.
The young South Africans are set to play three Youth Test matches and three Youth ODIs during their three-week stay in the Island nation.
Players in the caliber of Sammu Ashan, Vice-captain of the Sri Lanka team in the ICC Under 19 World Cup, 2016, Damitha Silva – Player of the Tournament in the SLC Super 19 Provincial Tournament 2016 and Isipathana College, wicket-keeper batsman Vishad Randika have already represented Sri Lanka U19s.
Players like Hareen Buddhila who took 27 wickets in 5 matches and became the best bowler of the SLC Super U19 Provincial Tournament 2015/16 and the third-highest scorer of the same tournament, Lasith Crosspulle who made 336 runs in 4 matches with 2 centuries have missed out on selection.
The Sri Lanka U19 team is coached by renowned former batsman, Roy Dias. There are 3 players from Isipathana College and 2 each from St. Sebastian’s College, Trinity College and St. Aloysius’ College in the final 15-man squad.
Sri Lanka U19 Squad for the Youth Tests
1. Avishka Fernando (Captain – St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium
2. Sammu Ashan (Ananda College) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off-Spin
3. Damitha Silva (Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala) – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox Spin
4. Vishad Randika (Isipathana College) – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-Keeper
5. Sanjula Abeywickrama (Isipathana College) – Left Hand Bat – Wicket-Keeper
6. Vishwa Chathuranga (Prince of Wales’ College) – Left Hand Bat – Wicket-Keeper
7. Navindu Nirmal (St. Aloysius’ College, Galle) – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-Keeper
8. Ashen Bandara (St. Aloysius’ College, Galle) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg-Spin
9. Hasitha Boyagoda (Trinity College, Kandy), Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off-Spin
10. Pethum Nissanka (Isipathana College) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off-Spin
11. Praveen Jayawickrama (St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa) – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox Spin
12. Thisaru Dilshan (Trinity College, Kandy) – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
13. Thilan Prashan (St. Servatius College, Matara) – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
14. Wanitha Wanninayake (St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast –
15. Thilanga Udeeshan (Richmond College, Galle) – Left-Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Standby Players
1. Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan (Trinity College, Kandy) – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox Spin
2. Jehan Daniel (St. Joseph’s College) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
3. Mishane Silva (St. Sebastian’s College) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Full Schedule
Warm-Up Match – 20th and 21st June at MCA grounds.
1st Youth Test – 23rd, 24th and 25th June at P. Sara Oval grounds.
2nd Youth Test – 28th, 29th and 30th June at Welegedara Stadium, Kurunegala.
3rd Youth Test – 3rd, 4th, 5th July at Pallekelle International Stadium, Pallekelle
1st Youth ODI – 9th July at P. Sara Oval grounds.
2nd Youth ODI – 11th July at NCC grounds.
3rd Youth ODI – 13th July at SSC grounds.
