Sri Lanka national women’s cricketer and all-rounder Manudi Nanayakkara from Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa was named the captain of the 15-member Under-19 team during their six-match series against the visiting Australia Under-19 team.
Nanayakkara, 17, who bats left-handed while bowling right-arm medium fast is one of the brightest prospects for the future of Sri Lanka’s women’s cricketing firmament.
According to cricket analysts the upcoming series is bound to further cement her burgeoning reputation.
The national selectors picked the squad featuring a mixture of youth and experience for the series which is to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Rashmika Sewwandi of Anura College, Matara has been named as the vice captain of the home team.
The squad also includes several players from Devapathiraja College, Rathgama further underscoring their growing influence in youth cricket in this country.
The Australian team landed in the country on Tuesday (16) to face their hosts in a series of five T20 games and a one-off 50-over match from Saturday (20) to 30 September.
Sri Lanka Under-19 team
Captain Manudi Nanayakkara (Princess of Wales, Moratuwa), Sanjana Kavindi (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Vimoksha Balasooriya (Sinhala M.V., Trincomalee), Hiruni Hansika (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Nethangi Isuranjali (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Vice captain Rashmika Sewwandi (Anura College, Matara), Sashini Gimhani (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Aseni Thalagune (Mahamaya Girls’ School, Kandy), Pramudi Methsara (National College, Uhana, Ampara), Danodya Sewmini (Anamaduwa Central College, Puttalam), Chamudhi Prabodha (Pangnananda College, Monaragala), Limansa Thilakarathne (unattached), Rashmi Nethranjali (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama), Rismi Sanjana (Anura College, Matara), Mithali Ayodhya (Rajaela MV, Kanthale)
Australia Under-19 team
Ira Aery, Eva Baird, Ava Drury, Samara Dulvin, Lucy Finn, Lilli Hamilton, Shiloh Julien, Jasmine Kamboj, Sara Kennedy, Charli McLennan, Indira Panelli, Emily Powell, Chelsea Sonter, Ayaka Stafford, Aijay Willoughby
The tour schedule
20 Sept. – First Under-19 T20
21 Sept. – Second Under-19 T20
24 Sept. – Third Under-19 T20
26 Sept. – Fourth Under-19 T20
28 Sept. – Fifth Under-19 T20
30 Sept. – Under-19 ODI