Subha udǣsanak! Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage and blog of the fifth One-Day International (ODI) between Sri Lanka U19 and England U19 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka, who have layed three games in the series so far, have lost a coule of games, thus registering just a win, which puts them in a do-or-die situation against England, who have not managed to win a single game, and a win here along with a better run-rate could see either of the teams making it through to the final. Thus, the tie expects to be a thriller with both the teams battling out for the final sot against India.
The India Under-19 team too is travelling to Sri Lanka for another tri-nation tournament ahead of the next year’s World Cup in Bangladesh. Former India captain and U19 coach Rahul Dravid said besides the Sri Lanka tri-series next month, he has also suggested the BCCI to organize a few matches in January to shape the team ahead of the January 22-February 14 tournament. “We go straight from here to Sri Lanka for a tri-series that also involves England, and I have requested the Board to try and organise some matches in January before we leave for the World Cup. Maybe we can get some more match practice,” Dravid said.
Squads:
Sri Lanka U-19: Charith Asalanka (c), Kasun Randika (wk), Shammu Ashan, Wanidu Harasanga de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Salindu Ushan Pereira, Lahiru Samarakoon, Damitha Silva.
England U19: Alastair Cook (c), Alex Hales, Nick Compton, Joe Root, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Mark Foottit, James Anderson.