Kusal Mendis to lead U-19 team

Sajeewa Jayakody

Prince of Wales wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Mendis has been picked as the Captain of the Sri Lanka Under-19 team, which will tour Bangladesh from April 5 to 29, Sri Lanka Cricket announced yesterday.

Former Dharmaraja College and current NCC batsman Sandun Weerakkody named as the Vice Captain.

Mahanamian Pavan Devinda, who reached 1,000-run mark in the season has also been selected with Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dinuk Wickramanayake and Tharindu Kulasekara as batsmen. Recently concluded ‘Battle of the Blues’ hero Chamika Karunaratne is included with Binuka Fernando, Charith Rajapakse and Dilshan Kanchana as fast bowlers while left arm spinners Lakshan Jayasinghe, Savin Nanayakkara and off spinner AK Tyronne will strengthen the spin department.

The 16-member Sri Lanka Youth squad will be playing three four-day matches and five one day games during the April tour. The squad is coached by Naveed Navaz.

Sri Lanka Youth squad: Kusal Mendis (captain, Prince of Wales), Sandun Weerakkody (vc, NCC), Sadeera Samarawickrama (St Joseph’s), Pavan Devinda (Mahanama), Minod Bhanuka (Maliyadeva), Tharindu Kulasekara (Thurstan), Hashan Dumindu (Gurukula), Harsha Rajapakse (Rahula), Chamika Karunaratne (Royal), Dilshan Kanchana (Devapathiraja), Binura Fernando (DS), Charith Rajapakse (Carey), Lakshan Jayasinghe (Trinity), Savin Nanayakkara (Richmond), AK Tyronne (Richmond), Dinuk Wickramanayake (Trinity).

Stand-by (for one-day games): Sanjika Ridma (St Servatious), Ramesh Mendis (Dharmasoka).