The Sri Lanka Schools Under 15 Cricket team will leave to Malaysia on the 2nd of April to participate in the International Under 15 Cricket Challenge for the Tuanku Ja’afar Trophy.
Sri Lanka, South Africa, Bangladesh and hosts Malaysians will be participating in the tournament this year. Sri Lanka Schools under 15s emerged champions beating South Africa in the final last year and will be the top contenders this year as well.
The team will be led by promising all-rounder Pawan Rathnayake from Mahanama College Colombo and his deputy will be Abhishek Anandakumar from Trinity College Kandy. Dilshan De Silva will take on the coaching duties.
This tournament had been played for 13 years and Sri Lanka have managed to win the title on 12 occassions. National caps Dinesh Chandimal, Thisara Perera, Kusal Janith Perera, Ashan Priyanjana, Lahiru Thirimanna, Isuru Udana, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Gamage and Kusal Mendis have all taken part in this tournament as juniors.
Tour itinerary
4th April – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh at Kelab Aman Stadium.
5th April – Sri Lanka vs Malaysian Malays at Bayuemas Oval.
6th April – Sri Lanka vs South Africa at Kelab Aman Stadium.
7th April – Semi-final -1st place vs 4th place/ 2nd place vs 3rd place.
10th April – Final at Bayuemas Oval.
Sri Lanka Schools U15 squad
1. Pawan Rathnayake (Captain – Mahanama Colombo)
2. Abhishek Anandakumar (Vice-captain – Trinity Kandy)
3. Yesith Rupasinghe (St. Joseph’s Colombo)
4. Amitha Dabare (Lumbini Colombo)
5. Dinura Fernando (Prince of Wales Moratuwa)
7. Sheran Fonseka (Holy Cross Kalutara)
8. Lohan de Zoysa (Dharmasoka Ambalangoda)
9. Sukhitha Prasanna (St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa)
10. Raveen De Silva (Nalanda Colombo)
11. Pasindu Thennakoon (Maliyadeva Kurunegala)
12. Prashan Kalhara (Royal Panadura)
13. Kanishka Hasitha (St. Joseph’s Vaz Wennappuwa)
14. Kavindu Pathirathne (Royal Colombo)
15. Thevin Amarasinghe (S. Thomas’ Bandarawela)
Officials: Mr. Oshara Panditharathne (Chief de Mission – Principal, Dharmapala College Pannipitiya), Mr. Jaliya Jayantha (Manager – Asoka Vidyalaya Colombo), Mr. Dilshan De Silva (Coach- S. De S. Jayasinghe MMV, Dehiwala), Mr. A.M.A.P. Athapatthu (Assistant coach – Ibbagamuwa Models School)
