Under 19 cricket is the feeder system to the national team in all parts of the world. Sri Lanka boasts a strong schools cricket system with a history of over 100 years but has failed to win the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup since its inception in 1988.
The talent pool in schools cricket is massive with many players walking straight into the national team in the past. However, in more recent times, Sri Lanka has been unable to produce many satisfactory results at major Under 19 competitions.
The 12th edition of Youth World Cup was held earlier this year in New Zealand where Sri Lanka disappointingly ended up as the Plate Championship winners, 9th overall in the standings. There was criticism directed at some of the selections as well but in the end, countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan finished ahead of the Lions.
At the end of the tournament, Head Coach Roy Dias’ contract was not renewed by Sri Lanka Cricket, leaving the position open.
According to reliable sources, SLC has shortlisted five applicants to be the next Sri Lanka U19 Cricket Coach as they look towards the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in 2020.
Ruwan Kalpage
48-year old former Sri Lankan all-rounder, Ruwan Kalpage is the front-runner to take up the role. Kalpage, who played 11 Tests, 86 ODIs from 1992 to 1999, has played various roles with the Sri Lanka coaching set up since retiring from the game.
He has truckloads of experience in coaching, having worked with the Sri Lanka U19s, Sri Lanka A, the Bangladesh national team, Bangladesh Cricket Academy and the Sri Lanka national team in the capacity of spin-bowling coach, fielding coach, and assistant coach.
Kalpage was a part of the Bangladesh coaching regime together with the current Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha in the past. Recently, Kalpage held a consultant role with the Oman national cricket team as well.
Harsha De Silva
One of the most reputed coaches in the schools’ arena, Harsha De Silva guided St. Joseph’s College for over a decade as the team produced players such Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Dimuth Karunarathne, Roshen Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Under De Silva’s tenure, the Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team defeated India, England and South Africa in the 2013 Women’s World Cup to finish fifth, which is by far the best achievement in the country’s history in women’s cricket.
De Silva has spent more than two decades coaching different kinds of players and characters. Even though he did not represent the country at any level, De Silva is a level 3 accredited coach and is currently in charge of a few domestic clubs in Brisbane.
Prabath Nissanka
The 37-year old former Sri Lankan fast-bowler, Prabath Nissanka played 4 Tests and 23 ODIs for Sri Lanka and has 27 wickets to his name in the ODI format. His career was cut short due to injuries leading him to shift his focus towards a coaching career.
After completing a level 3 coaching course in Australia, Nissanka was employed by SLC as an assistant fast bowling coach until 2013. He was earlier working as a fitness trainer for the Sri Lanka U19s as well and currently coaches a domestic side in Melbourne, Australia.
Malinda Warnapura
Former Sri Lankan left-handed Test opener, 38-year old Malinda Warnapura has also been earmarked as a potential successor to Roy Dias. Warnapura who prioritizes hard work has been working as the head coach of his alma mater, St. Peter’s College for the past three seasons.
With the experience of 14 Tests, 3 ODIs and hundreds of first-class games under his belt, Warnapura has coached a few domestic outfits such as Bloomfield C & AC in the past. Warnapura is the current Team Manager of Kandy in the SLC Super Fours Provincial Cricket Tournament 2018.
Thilina Kandamby
The youngest of the lot, Thilina Kandamby represented Sri Lanka in 39 ODIs and 5 T20Is from 2004 to 2014. After retiring from first-class cricket in 2016, Kandamby began his career in coaching at Royal College as the batting coach before taking over as the head coach last season.
The former Anandian had plenty of potential as a player but did not live up to expectations yet will look to take up the challenge in coaching the Lankan juniors and make a name for himself as a reputed coach.
