Kaushalya Weereratne looks forward to England tour

A strong Under 19 squad of 15 cricketers led by experienced Trinity College schoolboy, Kaushalya Weerarathne, left the island on Saturday for a five-week tour to England. The tour includes a three-match Limited over series, a three 3-day encounters and a three match unofficial Test series against the English counterparts.

Sri Lankan squad, which comprises a good batting line-up, will bank on the experienced batsmen to make an impact on the tour while the team is confident with the pace bowling attack as well.

Much would be hoped from Sri Lanka's newest found all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne who represented the national team at the Asia Cup in Dhaka recently. Playing in all four matches Weeraratne captured four wickets conceding only 98 runs with an economy rate of 3.77 per over.

Weeraratne has led his school team for two years and has had a good success rate. Leading a national side for the first time Weeraratne is confident that the teammates would come out with best performance to support the collective team effort work.

He said the team has undergone with some hard training over the last few weeks with their new coach, Owen Mottau, and have learnt a great deal in a very short period of time.

The Team Manager Anurudda Polonnowita says that the team has trained hard for the upcoming tour and should do well and the tour will definitely be a good experience for the youngsters. Pollonnowita said the team is comprised of the best possible combination in the country and would look forward to a successful tour.

U-19 Squad to England

All rounders : Kaushalya Weeraratne - Trinity College, Kandy (Capt)- RA Medium fast Ian Daniels - St Joseph's College, Colombo 13 - RA Slow Medium Muthumudalige Pushpakumara - Ananda College, Colombo - RA Off spin Ranil Dhammika - Lumbini College, Colombo - LA Leg spin Kaushalya Lokuarachchi - St Peters College, Bambalapitiya - RA Leg spin

Batsmen : Thilina Kandambi - Ananda College, Colombo (V. Capt) - LH bat Nimesh Perera - Presidents College, Rajagiriya - Wicket keeper/RH bat Mahesh Perera - St Peters College, Bambalapitiya - RH bat Jehan Mubarak - Royal College, Colombo - LH bat Rashan Peiris - Prince of Wales, Moratuwa - Wicket keeper/RH bat Malintha Gajanayake - DS Senanayake College, Colombo - RH bat

Fast Bolwers : Prabath Nissanka - Trinity College, Kandy, - RA Medium fast Akalanka Ganegama - Ananda College, Colombo - RA Medium fast Thilina Thushara - Kaluthara Vidyalaya, Kalutara - LA Medium fast Aruna Bandaranaike - St Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, RA Medium fast

Spinner : Nisal Randika* - Thurstan College, Colombo - LA Orthodox *Nisal will join the touring squad only from 1st of August 2000.

Manager : Anurudda Pollonowita

Coach : Owen Mottau

Physiotherapist : Lal Thamel

School Representative : TB Damunupola