Sports

Emphasis on Under-19 cricket commendable

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/1

by Rex Clementine

Since reaching the finals of the ICC Youth World Cup in the year 2000 under the captaincy of Malintha Gajanayaka, Sri Lanka Under-19 have struggled to make an impact in the tournament although several players involved in the competition have gone onto have an impact with the senior side. Sri Lanka have never reached the finals since they hosted the event in 2000 where they lost to an Indian side that comprised Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif.

In recent months, however, there has been a concerted effort to uplift the standards of the Under-19 team and the young cricketers just completed a three week residential coaching camp with training taking place at SSC.

SLC had conducted an island wide talent search and had picked 75 players who went through a residential training camp in Kandy and that was further trimmed to 26 and apart from emphasizing on the technical and tactical aspects of game, the players were also educated on history of the game, an area that has been earmarked as vital.

When the 75 players camped in Kandy, they were asked a simple question, which year did Sri Lanka gain Test status and not a single player could answer. Alarmed by this lack of knowledge, the authorities have made an effort to educate players on this vital aspect of the game.

While there are some brilliant coaches in school cricket both in Colombo and in outstations who are keen in seeing the development of young players rather than winning alone, there are also coaches and school authorities who want to win at any cost and that is not helping the young players.

SLC’s second residential camp for the Under-19 players ended on Wednesday and the players have returned home for a break and will enter a bio-secure bubble again as they will play a bilateral series against Bangladesh in two weeks time. Bangladesh are the World Champions in Under-19 cricket having upset a strong Indian side in the finals in South Africa last year.

There will be more exposure for the young players as Sri Lanka will host England Under-19 in November followed by the Asia Cup and then the World Cup in the Caribbean.

As a goodwill gesture, SLC gave away Rs. 100,000 each to the 26 players who have been chosen for the Under-19 squad.

Former opening batsman Avishka Gunawardene is the Head Coach of the Under-19 side and former captain Mahela Jayawardene will work with the team as a consultant.

All News Advertisement

Sports

Kithmuka anchors St. Servatius’ to draw

Published

9 hours ago

2025/12/20

Thilina Walpola

Forced to follow on after being dismissed for 111 runs, Risinu Kithmuka scored an unbeaten half century to anchor St. Servarius’ batting line up to force a draw to their Under 19 cricket encounter against S. Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia on Friday.

‎The dogged knock facing 121 balls, helped the visitor post 93 for five wickets at close.

‎In a match dominated by the home team, Aaron David’s century was the highlight for S. Thomas’. They posted 269 for four wickets at close on day one and declared on the overnight score.

‎Meanwhile at Kotahena, Mevan Dissanayake top scored with 91 runs inclusive of eight fours and three sixes for St. Benedict’s to post 295 for 9 declared against Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya.

‎Results

‎Thomians dominate against St. Servatius’ at Mount Lavinia

‎Scores

‎S. Thomas’ 269 for 4 decl. in 73.3 overs (Jaden Amaraweera 40, Avinash Fernando 50, Aaron David 100n.o., Reshon Soloman 56; Lasindu Ramanayaka 2/87)

‎St. Servatius’ 111 all out 54.4 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 26, Thathsilu Bandara 20; Minon Warnasuriya 2/14, Chamash Gunawardena 2/24, Shanil Perera 3/18, Reshon Solomon 2/09) and 93 for 5 in 36 overs (Risinu Kithmuka 51n.o.; Aaron de Silva 2/30, Shanil Perera 3/23)

‎Bens 295 for 9 decl., Sri Dharmaloka 87/2 at Kotahena

‎Scores

‎St. Benedict’s 295 for 9 decl. in 56.4 overs (Mevan Dissanayake 91, Vihanga Rathnayake 42, Yohan Edirisinghe 31, Ayesh Gajanayake 49; Sathindu Praboda 4/98, Tharusha Mihiranga 2/66)

‎Sri Dharmaloka 87 for 2 in 25 overs (Senuka Pehesara 40, Kaveen Deneth 40n.o.; Ayesh Gajanayake 2/27)

by Reemus Fernando

Latest News

Subhan, Minhas star as Pakistan set up U-19 final with India

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/19

Priyan

Abdul Subhan's four wickets dismantled Bangladesh [Cricinfo]

Pakistan marched into the final of the Under 19 Asia Cup with a clinical eight wicket win over Bangladesh in the rain-hit semi-final in Dubai, after a dominant bowling performance led by Abdul Subban set up a straightforward chase. The victory sets up a final clash against India, who won the first semi final against Sri Lanka earlier in the day.

Opting to field after winning the toss in the rain-reduced 27-overs-a-side contest, Pakistan made early inroads as Bangladesh slipped to 24 for 2 inside six overs. Captain Azizul Hakim offered brief resistance to steady the innings, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Fast bowler Subhan was the standout with the ball, picking up four wickets to dismantle the middle order. From 55 for 2 in the 13th over, Bangladesh lost five wickets for just 38 runs, collapsing to 93 for 7. The lower order struggled to rebuild, and Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 121 in 26.3 overs, with no batter able to convert a start into a big score.

In reply, Pakistan’s chase was smooth. After the early loss of opener Hamza Zahoor in the first over, Sameer Minhas anchored the innings with a composed, unbeaten 69, ensuring there were no further hiccups. He struck six fours and two sixes as Pakistan cruised to 122 for 2 with 63 balls to spare.

With this knock, Minhas took his tournament’s tally to 299 to be the highest run-getter.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 122 for 2 in 16.3 overs (Sameer Minhas 69*, Usman Khan 27; Samiun Basir 1-17) beat Bangladesh 121 in 26.3 overs (Samiun Basir 33; Abdul Subhan 4-20, Huzaifa Ahasan 2-10)by eight wickets

[Cricinfo]

Latest News

Malhotra, George fifties set up India vs Pakistan final

Published

17 hours ago

2025/12/19

Priyan

Aaron George and Vihaan Malhotra added 114* for the third wicket [Cricinfo]

Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George’s patient half-centuries helped India beat Sri Lanka in a rain-reduced game and set up an U-19 Asia Cup final with Pakistan.

It was a game where the momentum kept changing hands. India had Sri Lanka at 28 for 3 after opting to bowl. Captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenetigala hit back with a 45-run stand, but Sri Lanka soon lost 3 for 11. A 62-run stand between Heenatigala and Sethmika Seneviratne followed, but India again turned it around in the final three overs.

In reply, India were 25 for 2 as Sri Lanka sniffed a comeback. But Malhotra and George added an unbeaten 114 runs in a partnership of two halves: the first 62 runs they added took 51 balls, while the next 52 came off 36 deliveries. It was Malhotra who swung the game India’s way when he went 4, 4, 6 off Dulnith Sigera in the 13th over. Malhotra reached his fifty off 35 balls, while George took 43 balls.

India’s win was set up after their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 138. Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran struck early, while Vedant Trivedi’s direct hit ran Kavija Gamage out in the sixth over.

But Kanishk Chouhan struck twice in the 12th over, and Khilan Patel in the 13th, to force Sri Lanka to rebuild again. That brought Heenatigala and Seneviratne together. Seneviratne was the attacking of the two while Heenatigala, limping a little, was more patient. At 118 for 6 with three overs left, and with Seneviratne connecting it cleanly, Sri Lanka may have hoped to post 150. But just 20 runs amid two wickets in the last three overs applied the brakes on their scoring.

India will meet Pakistan in the final on Sunday.

Brief scores:
India Under 19s 139 for 2 in 18 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 61*, Aaron George 58*; Rasith Nimsara 2-31) beat Sri Lanka Under 19s 138 for 8 in 20 overs (Chamika Heenatigala 42, Vimath Dinsara 32, Sethmika Senevirathne 30; Henil Patel 2-31, Kanishk Chouhan 2-36) by eight wickets

[Cricinfo]