Sri Lanka U19s will go head to head with the touring Australia U19s in a 3 match youth one day series which commences on the 1st of February and it will be the best warm up for both teams before the mega ICC Youth World Cup in UAE which kick starts on Saint Valentine’s day.
The Baby Kangaroos (Joeys) will be led by New South Wales left hand batsman Jake Dooran and they will have the services of wicket keeper batsman Ben McDermott, son of Australia’s Test fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott. The Lion cubs will be led by Cambrian wicket keeper batsman Kusal Mendis and his deputy will be Josephian opening batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama.
The Australian Under 19s toured India for a quadrangular tournament last September/October and that exposure will benefit the players from down under to make the most of the 3 matches in Sri Lanka. Pitches in Sri Lanka will assist the spinners more but Sri Lankan batsman will face an uphill task in battling against the strong fast bowling unit from Australia.
This tour will benefit Sri Lanka as they have been grouped with England, New Zealand in the Under 19 world cup and the tall and steamy fast bowlers of Australia will test the technique and temperament of Sri Lanka’s batting line up. Australia Under 19s grouped with two upcoming Asian teams in the Under 19 Youth World Cup and playing against an opposition similar to them will certainly be a confidence booster before the main tournament.
Comparing the teams, Sri Lanka U19s played in UAE last month when they were involved in the ACC Under 19 Asia Cup while Australia U19s will be touring unknown territory when they take wing for the ICC Youth World Cup. Australia U19s will be tested heavily by the high quality spin attack of Sri Lanka U19s during the 3 match series.
Sri Lanka Under 19s vs Australia Under 19s Tour Schedule
1st Youth One Day – Colombo Colts Grounds : 1st February, 2014
2nd Youth One Day – Colombo Colts Grounds : 3rd February, 2014
3rd Youth One Day – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo : 6th Feburary, 2014
Sri Lanka Under 19s Squad
01. Kusal Mendis – Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa (Captain)
02. Sadeera Samarawickrama – St.Joseph’s College (Vice Captain)
03. Minod Bhanuka – Maliyadewa College, Kurunegala
04. Hashan Dumindu – Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya
05. Kavindu Kulasekara – Thurstan College
06 Priyamal Perera – St.Josephs’ College
07. Thilaksha Sumanasiri – St..Thomas College, Mt Lavinia
08. Hashan Ramanayake – Royal College, Colombo
09. Binura Fernando – D.S Senanayake College
10. Anuk Fernando – St.Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa
11. Hashan Vimarshana – St.Thomas College, Matara
12. A.K Tyronne – Richmond College, Galle
13. Lakshan Jayasinghe – Trinity College, Kandy
14. Ramesh Mendis – Dharmashoka College, Ambalangoda
15. Harsha Rajapaksha – Rahula College, Matara
Australia Under 19s Squad
1. Jake Doran
2. Matthew Fotia
3. Alex Gregory
4. Benjamin McDermott
5. Jaron Morgan
6. Damien Mortimer
7. Matthew Short
8. Kelvin Smith
9. Billy Stanlake
10. Cameron Valente
11. Guy Walker
12. Sean Willis
13. Thomas Andrews
14. Ben Ashkenazi
15.James Bazley
