Team Preview | ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka


Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 13-01-2023

Picture Courtesy: Cricket Queens

Sri Lanka come into the tournament being placed in a group that they wouldn't mind. They will be coached by the Sri Lankan legend, Shashikala Siriwardene.

FIXTURES:

Sri Lanka is placed in Group A alongside Australia, USA, & Bangladesh.



SQUAD:

The Sri Lankan side features only 1 player who has represented the Sri Lankan senior team - Vishmi Gunaratne (11 caps)



RECENT FORM:

The Sri Lankan U-19 toured India recently to play the Quadrangular series against India A, India B, & the West Indies U-19. Their solitary win came against the West Indies by 6 wickets. Sri Lanka had two warm-up games and they won them both. The first one was against the UAE which they won by 50 runs & the next one was against Scotland which they won by 6 wickets. This team has a bit of experience in playing together as a unit & that's an advantage to have over several other teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Dewmi Vihanga - Dewmi was one of the two hat-trick stars in the warm-ups when she got rid of Katherine Fraser, Molly Paton, & Emily Tucker. She finished with 4/17 in that game and helped restrict Scotland to 87. That wasn't it, she was also the star in the first warm-up against UAE where she finished with 3/4. The off-spinner would be looking to have a say in this tournament and be a key figure in the spin attack. She was the Player of the Tournament in the Sri Lanka Youth Tournament.

Vishmi Gunaratne - The only capped player in the side made her T20I debut against Scotland in January 2022. She will be leading the side and also be Sri Lanka's key batter. She hasn't had an outstanding international career yet, but one can see why she will in the future. She made a vital 39* against Scotland in the warm-up to see Sri Lanka through.

Vidushika Perera - Vidushika has been a star performer in the domestics, and this includes the senior level as well. She registered 6/17 in April 2022 in 1st Division cricket and has been doing the damage at the youth level too. The left-arm spinner would be a major threat for the RHBs in this tournament.

Sumudu Nisansala - Nisansala will be setting the pace for Sri Lanka with the bat. While the opening batter had returns of only 14 & 6 in the two games, there was enough promise shown by her when she was in India for the Quadrangular series. Sri Lanka's only win in that series came courtesy of Nisansala's pyrotechnics. The wicket-keeper played an aggressive knock of 33 (16) to help Sri Lanka chase down a tricky 96. The batter from Galle was recognized as the Best Batter in the Sri Lanka U-19 Tournament.

PREDICTIONS:

Sri Lanka would fancy their chances to make it to the Super 6s. They will have to play well against the likes of USA & Bangladesh & a loss against either of them could make it a touch & go situation.


Team Preview | ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup | Sri Lanka


Written By: Jeet Vachharajani
Date: 13-01-2023

Picture Courtesy: Cricket Queens

Sri Lanka come into the tournament being placed in a group that they wouldn't mind. They will be coached by the Sri Lankan legend, Shashikala Siriwardene.

FIXTURES:

Sri Lanka is placed in Group A alongside Australia, USA, & Bangladesh.



SQUAD:

The Sri Lankan side features only 1 player who has represented the Sri Lankan senior team - Vishmi Gunaratne (11 caps)



RECENT FORM:

The Sri Lankan U-19 toured India recently to play the Quadrangular series against India A, India B, & the West Indies U-19. Their solitary win came against the West Indies by 6 wickets. Sri Lanka had two warm-up games and they won them both. The first one was against the UAE which they won by 50 runs & the next one was against Scotland which they won by 6 wickets. This team has a bit of experience in playing together as a unit & that's an advantage to have over several other teams.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:

Dewmi Vihanga - Dewmi was one of the two hat-trick stars in the warm-ups when she got rid of Katherine Fraser, Molly Paton, & Emily Tucker. She finished with 4/17 in that game and helped restrict Scotland to 87. That wasn't it, she was also the star in the first warm-up against UAE where she finished with 3/4. The off-spinner would be looking to have a say in this tournament and be a key figure in the spin attack. She was the Player of the Tournament in the Sri Lanka Youth Tournament.

Vishmi Gunaratne - The only capped player in the side made her T20I debut against Scotland in January 2022. She will be leading the side and also be Sri Lanka's key batter. She hasn't had an outstanding international career yet, but one can see why she will in the future. She made a vital 39* against Scotland in the warm-up to see Sri Lanka through.

Vidushika Perera - Vidushika has been a star performer in the domestics, and this includes the senior level as well. She registered 6/17 in April 2022 in 1st Division cricket and has been doing the damage at the youth level too. The left-arm spinner would be a major threat for the RHBs in this tournament.

Sumudu Nisansala - Nisansala will be setting the pace for Sri Lanka with the bat. While the opening batter had returns of only 14 & 6 in the two games, there was enough promise shown by her when she was in India for the Quadrangular series. Sri Lanka's only win in that series came courtesy of Nisansala's pyrotechnics. The wicket-keeper played an aggressive knock of 33 (16) to help Sri Lanka chase down a tricky 96. The batter from Galle was recognized as the Best Batter in the Sri Lanka U-19 Tournament.

PREDICTIONS:

Sri Lanka would fancy their chances to make it to the Super 6s. They will have to play well against the likes of USA & Bangladesh & a loss against either of them could make it a touch & go situation.