Sri Lanka have confirmed their 15 for the Men’s Under-19 World Cup, starting 15 January in Zimbabwe and Namibia, with two quicks catching most of the early chat.
First, there’s Kugathas Mathulan, 18, out of Jaffna. Left-field action, yorkers that dip late, and more than the odd comparison with Lasith Malinga and, lately, Matheesha Pathirana. Franchise scouts, Chennai Super Kings among them, have already asked a few questions.
Then comes seam-bowling all-rounder Sethmika Seneviratne. He topped Sri Lanka’s wickets at last month’s U-19 Asia Cup – eight at 15.75, including a five-for against Nepal. “I just tried to keep it straight and hit the stumps,” he said in Dubai, a line that probably tells you as much about his method as any analyst can.
Middle-order batter Vimath Dinsara will lead the group, with Kavija Gamage as deputy. Dinsara keeps things pretty simple: “Score runs, stay calm, back the bowlers.” The pair are expected to anchor an otherwise fresh batting line-up.
Sri Lanka sit in Group A alongside defending champions Australia, Ireland and Japan. First outing is against Japan on 17 January in Windhoek – useful chance to settle the nerves before Australia two days later.
Squad
Vimath Dinsara (capt), Kavija Gamage, Dimantha Mahavithana, Viran Chamuditha, Dulnith Sigera, Chamika Heentigala, Adam Hilmy, Chamarindu Nethsara, Sethmika Seneviratne, Kugathas Mathulan, Rasith Nimsara, Vigneshwaran Akash, Jeewantha Sriram, Senuja Wekunagoda, Malintha Silva.
Quick take
• Pace looks the clear strength; spin may need covering.
• Batting depth untested outside Asia.
• Group draw manageable, but Australia on African pitches is a different beast.
Nothing overblown here – just a promising squad with a couple of eye-catching seamers and a captain who sounds like he’s already thought through most scenarios.
