Manudi to lead SL Under-19 Women in Tri-nation series

England Under-19 women cricketers Australia Under-19 women cricketers

• Play Australia in curtain-raiser

Left-hand middle-order batter Manudi Nanayakkara will lead Sri Lanka in the Women’s Under-19 Tri-Series against England and Australia which commences at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota on Thursday.

The national selectors have picked a 16-member squad to represent Sri Lanka in the tournament which will feature matches in two formats T20 and 50-over. Sri Lanka plays Australia in the opening match of the T20 series.

Meanwhile, Australia and England too have named their squads for the tournament.

Cricket Australia National Development Head Sonya Thompson said, “The tri-series in Sri Lanka gives our Under-19 squad a great development opportunity as part of our preparation for the T20 World Cup next year. We are committed to strengthening our pathway program across Australian Cricket and opportunities like this provide our young cricketers with an insight into playing at an international level as well as exposing them to new conditions and experiencing some of the challenges that come with touring overseas.”

England’s squad of 15 players comprises several that attended the inaugural ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023 and who are still age-eligible. They are joined by some players who are Under-19 for the 2024 season only. England Head Coach Chris Guest said, “We are all looking forward to our forthcoming series in Sri Lanka. We have selected a good mix of those who have represented this age group before and those who are new. It’s a really exciting squad who are relishing the chance to compete against quality opposition. To have the opportunity to play T20 and 50-over cricket is really important. It’s a chance for the players to be exposed to and experience different conditions and will present excellent learning opportunities.”

SRI LANKA UNDER-19 WOMEN’S SQUAD: Manudi Nanayakkara (Captain), Rashmika Sewwandi (Vice-Captain), Sanjana Kavindi, Vimoksha Balasuriya, Shashini Gimhani, Rismi Sanjana, Dewmi Vihanga, Sumudu Nisansala (wk), Rashmi Nethranjali, Dahami Sanethma, Vishmi Savindi, Ashani Kaushalya, Yasanthi Nimanthika, Nethmi Senarathna, Hiruni Hansika and Chamodi Praboda. AUSTRALIA UNDER-19 WOMEN’S SQUAD: Amy Hunter, Amy Smith, Bonnie Berry, Eleanor Larosa, Grace Lyons, Hasrat Gill, Ines McKeon, Juliette Morton, Kate Pelle, Lucy Finn, Lucy Hamilton, Maggie Clark, Samara Dulvin, Sienna Eve and Tegan Williamson.

ENGLAND UNDER-19 WOMEN’S SQUAD: Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Jodi Grewcock, Josie Groves, Katie Jones, Charlotte Lambert, Ava Lee, Abigale Norgrove, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Sophia Smale, Alexa Stonehouse, Amuruthaa Surenkumar, Mary Taylor, Erin Thomas and Maddie Ward.