Sri Lanka Under 19 Women’s Team led by Vishmi Gunaratne left yesterday for India to take part in a T20 quadrangular cricket tournament. This is the first time the National Under 19 team is going on an international assignment and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has organised this tour to get more exposure.
Sri Lanka Under 19, India Under 19 ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams, and the West Indies Under 19 Women’s team will take part in this tournament and keen tussle is expected among these four teams in Visakhapatnam, India.
Sri Lanka’s matches are scheduled on November 13, 15 and 17 at Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium which is known as Vizag. The finals of the tournament will be played on November 19.
The 17-year-old right-hand open batter Vishmi from Ratnawali BMV Gampaha will lead the side for the first time.
Vishmi who has played two ODI’s and nine T-20s with the senior National team is the most experienced player on the side. She couldn’t take part in the last Commonwealth Games due to injury.
Umaya Ratnayake, Dewmi Vihanga, and Vidushika Perera are the other three cricketers from Ratnawali BMV Gampaha while another four cricketers from Ratgama Dewapathiraja Vidyalaya Sanjana Kavindi, Rashmi Nethranjali, Sumudu Nisansala, and Vihara Sewwandi are in this team. In addition, three players from Anura MV Matara, two players from Princess of Wales Moratuwa, and one player each from Wadduwa MV and Anula Vidyalaya Nugegoda are included in this team.
Former National women’s team skipper Shashikala Siriwardena has appointed the National under 19 coach focused on the inaugural under 19 women’s cricket World Cup and this is going to be her first assignment as a National coach.
Shashikala the 37-year-old experienced all-rounder who played for the National team from 2003 to 2020 has played 118 ODI’s having 2029 ruins and also played 81 T-20’s scoring 1097 runs as a middle order batter. She has taken 124 ODI wickets and took 77 T-20 wickets. Shashikala Siuriwardena said she is very keen to do the new role as a coach after retiring from international cricket. The Under-19 players have good potential but this quadrangular tournament in India will give good international exposure for the forthcoming Inaugural Under-19 World Cup. We had good training sessions at the P. Sara Oval Stadium while Sri Lanka Cricket gave all the facilities for this team and most of the players are making their debut tour. Indrani Ariyaratne will join as the team Manager.
Sri Lanka Under 19 team:
Vishmi Gunaratne (Capt), Umaya Ratnayake , Dewmi Vihanga, Vidushika Perera (Ratnawali BMV), Sanjana Kavindi , Rashmi Nethranjali, Sumudu Nisansala , Vihara Sewwandi (Dewapathiraja MV Ratgama), Rashmika Sewwandi, Pamoda Shaini, Dulanga Dissanayake (Anura MV Matara), Manudi Nanayakkara , Harini Perera (Princess of Wales Moratuwa), Netmi Senaratne (Wadduwa MV), Dulanga Dissanayake (Anula MV Nugegoda), Shashikala Siriwardea (coach), Indrani Ariyaratne (Manager)
