It Was A Great Tour…

I did mention last week that the Sri Lanka Under 19 team did well at this year’s mini World Cup in New Zealand. There were moments that the lads could have turned up trumps during the semi finals which they lost to the eventual winners, Australia.

Having worked with the lads for a short but productive period I was happy with their attitude and application to the game. They all worked towards the set goal but was very unfortunate to stumble at the last bend. Ours was probably the best balanced team in the tournament and but for a couple of blunders would have been in the park for the finals. These lapses turned into the two losses but that’s the way the game flows.

I need to make a special commendation to the Chairman of the Interim Board, D.S. de Silva whose unstinted support was ever forthcoming to the under 19 cause. I did feel sad for him that this team couldn’t bring home the trophy for all his and those few who on his directions supported the squad. I think all others should be grateful to the Interim Committee Chairman for  his near single handed efforts towards this junior side.

There were many outstanding players on show and we will hear of them shortly. They were great entertainers and cricket’s near term future is going to be exciting.

The Sri Lankan lads’ commitment was considerable and it was a sad moment for me to witness the team in tears in the dressing room after the semi final loss. It was naturally difficult to lift them to secure the third position after letting the semi final go but this should not take away the tremendous performance by the West Indians who displayed that winning was about productive partnerships. A couple of catches went down but a single partnership which included ten hits over the ropes secured the Windies the third spot.

Fielding was found wanting at times and this is an area that more work has to be done. The lads prepared to tighten all areas of the game within a limited span but I believe that it would take 18 months of well coordinated work to get the next under 19 squad to be well oiled to be the proper working machine that is needed to turn back trumps.