Outstanding schoolboy cricketers to play in Middlesex County Championship

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva and Head of Cricket Operations Carlton Bernadus handing over the sponsorship documents to the two young cricketers for their trip to England

Under the overseas player program two outstanding schoolboy cricketers, Chamika Karunaratne of Royal College and Lasith Lakshan of St. Thomas’ College, Matara have been selected to play in the UK County Championship.

The two players were selected from a group of seven cricketers by the SLC UK Committee. The SLC UK Committee will be responsible for their wellbeing and expenses during their stay in the UK.

 Some of the past cricketers who have benefited from this scholarship scheme are Angelo Mathews, Dhammika Prasad, Farveez Maharoof, Kosala Kulasekara and Upul Tharanga.

 For potential young national cricketers to have this opportunity to play a season of cricket in England is a dream come true and the experience will hold them in good stead for their future careers. The club cricket season runs from the end of April until mid-September.

The cricketers will be playing in the Middlesex County Championship, which will off them competitive and challenging cricket throughout the season. The Chairman of the SLC UK Committee, together with the Captain and Chairman of Southgate Cricket Club, will be available at all times to guarantee the wellbeing of the cricketers. 

In addition, a club member who is Sri Lankan and a Level 3 coach will be available to assist the cricketers. 

The Chairman of the SLC UK Committee will act as the mentor and guardian of the scholarship cricketers throughout their stay and he, along with the other SLC UK Committee members, will support and help the cricketers during the season. 

The SLC UK Committee will arrange to provide competent coaches (Level 3 or above) from the MCC/ECB coaching staff, depending on the needs and requirements of the cricketers. The SLC UK Committee/Club will arrange gym membership and strength and conditioning coaches when appropriate during their stay in the UK to develop all aspects of their fitness and conditioning.