Mathews to lead U-19 squad

The Sri Lankan selectors have named a strong 14-man squad for next month's Under-19 World Cup which will be held in Sri Lanka. The allrounder Angelo Mathews will lead the side with Sameera Soysa as his deputy.

The 15-day event will be held from February 5-19 and involves 16 countries with 44 matches to be played at five venues across Colombo. The squad, which is still subject to Sports Ministry ratification, will be coached by Sumithra Warnakulasuriya and Hemal Mendis. Ruwan Kalpage, the former Sri Lanka offspinner, will act as fielding coach and Champaka Ramanayake, the seam bowler who played 18 Tests and 62 ODIs, will be the bowling coach.

Sri Lanka squad Angelo Mathews (capt), Sameera Soysa, Sachithra Serasinghe, Dimuth Karunaratne, Hans Fernando, Dilhan Cooray, Shalika Karunanayake, Sachith Pathirana, Tissara Perera, Chathupama Gunasinghe, Rajeew Weerasinghe, Ashan Priyanjana, Prabudhdha Perera, Malinga Pushpakumara.