Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially unveiled its young guns who will carry the nation's hopes at the upcoming ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be held in South Africa from January 13 to February 4, 2024.
The Full Squad and Leadership
The selectors have pinned their faith on a 15-member squad led by all-rounder Sineth Jayawardena. His deputy will be the wicketkeeper-batsman, Pulindu Perera. The squad announcement finalizes the group that will compete in cricket's most prestigious global event for teenagers.
The complete Sri Lanka Under-19 squad is as follows: Sineth Jayawardena (Captain), Pulindu Perera (Vice-Captain), Ravishan Nethsara, Rusanda Gamage, Dinura Kalupahana, Duvindu Ranatunga, Vishen Halambage, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Dinuka Tennakoon, Malsha Tharupathi, Garuka Sanketh, Hiran Jayasundera, Ruvishan Perera, Vihas Thewmika, and Dhanitha Jayathilake.
Preparation and Tournament Structure
In preparation for the high-pressure event, the Sri Lankan colts are currently engaged in a training camp. This camp is crucial for building team cohesion and acclimatizing to the conditions they will face in South Africa. The team's campaign will begin in the group stage, where they have been placed in Group C alongside England, South Africa, and the West Indies.
The format of the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2024 is designed to test the mettle of the best young talents from across the globe. After the initial group phase, the top three teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Six stage. From there, the path leads to the semi-finals and ultimately the grand finale on February 4th.
Expectations and the Road Ahead
This announcement marks a significant milestone for the selected players, offering them a massive platform to showcase their skills on the world stage. For Sri Lanka Cricket, the tournament is an opportunity to assess the next generation of talent that could graduate to the senior national team in the coming years.
The team, under the guidance of its coaching staff led by Head Coach Avishka Gunawardene, will be looking to make a deep run in the competition. Navigating a tough group containing hosts South Africa and strong sides like England will be their first major challenge. Fans will be hoping that this squad can emulate the success of Sri Lanka's triumphant 2022 batch that reached the final of the U19 Asia Cup and will be eager to see if they can spring a surprise in South Africa.
The countdown to the World Cup has well and truly begun for Sineth Jayawardena and his young brigade as they aim to write their own chapter in Sri Lanka's rich cricketing history.
