Sri Lanka will also play three one-dayers against South Africa after the triangular.

The team is led by Avishka Fernando of St. Sebastian College, Moratuwa with Kamindu Mendis of Richmond College, Galle as his deputy. The team includes a mixture of experienced and junior players.

“We are going to South Africa for the first time that is why we are taking 16 players,” said team coach Roy Dias.

“We know there are fast pitches in South Africa that’s why we have included five fast bowlers in our team. This is a good chance for our players to learn how to bat and bowl on fast pitches,” he said.

“We have another one year for the Youth World Cup. We have planned to include more players to our squad after this tour,” Dias said.

“We have well balanced team, we hope to play better and our aim is to win the matches. We have the best players who played in the Asian Championship. I represented the national team and I like to share my experiences with the team,” Sri Lanka under 19 team captain Avishka Fernando said.

Sri Lanka Under 19 squad:

Avishka Fernando (Captain) – St. Sebastian’s College, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain) – Richmond College, Sammu Ashan – Ananda College, Ashen Bandara – St. Aloysius’ College, Jehan Daniel – St. Joseph’s College, Mishen Silva – St. Sebastian’s College, Manelkar De Silva – St. Peter’s College, Pathum Nissanka – Isipathana College, Vishva Chathuranga – Prince of Wales’ College, Revan Kelly – St. Joseph’s College, Hasitha Boyagoda – Trinity College, Krishan Sanjula – De Mazenod College, Praveen Jayawickrama – St. Sebastian’s College, Hareen Buddhila – St. Aloysius’ College, Thisaru Rashmika Dilshan – Trinity College, Nipun Ranshika – P. de S Kularatne College.

Mahinda Halangoda (Manager), Roy Dias (Head Coach), Chaminda Vaas (Fast Bowling Coach), Darshana Weerasinghe (Physical Trainer), Nick Pothas (Fielding Coach), Sanjeewa Gamage (Physiotherapist), Keerthi Gunaratne (Representative of Schools Cricket Society).

Match schedule:

Triangular Series: 15 – vs South Africa (Cape Town), 16 – vs Zimbabwe (Cape Town), 20 – vs Zimbabwe (Paal), 21 – vs South Africa (Paal), 24 – vs Zimbabwe (Stelenburg), 26 – vs South Africa (Stlenburg), 28 – Final (Paal).

One Day Series against South Africa: 1st February – first one day match, 3rd February – second one day match, 5th February – third one day match.

In reply to India’s 273 for 8 Sri Lanka were all out for 239 runs in 48.4 overs. The Sri Lankan youth were well on course for victory at many stages of the match but lost their way after losing wickets at regular intervals. Opener Raven Kelly top scored with 62 facing 101 deliveries with five fours and a six and skipper Kamindu Mendis also batted well to score 53 facing 57 deliveries with four boundaries.

Abhishek Sharma took 4 for 37 and Rahul Chahar was the second best taking 3 for 22 which included a spectacular catch off his own bowling to dismiss Arachchige which probably changed the course of the game.

India Under 19 top order flourished for a while with two half centuries by Shubman Gill (70) who faced 92 deliveries and struck four fours and and another 71 byHimanshi Rana who faced 79 balls and hit six fours and a six with useful contributions coming from the bats of Abhishek Sharma and Salman Khan to take India towards a challenging score of 273 for 8 in their 50 overs.

India would have been aiming towards the 300 run mark but from 224 for 4 in the 44th over they lost one of their prolific scorers Shubman Gill for 70 and India were pulled back a bit.

They lost a couple of quick wickets in the quest of looking for quick runs . But opening bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti gave the Indian tail a good twist with a well hit 23 to see India reaching their final total of 273 in the 50 overs. Nipun Rashmika was the most successful bowler taking three wickets while Praveen Jayawardene was the pick of the spinners with three wickets.