Sri Lankan allrounders confident on home pitches.

Sr Lanka U19 team looks a formidable side. They are full of confidence and are surely in the race for the final.

Former Lankan leg-spinner D.S De Silva, manager of the team, knows too well that his side can win the World Cup. Having been with the team for over four months he knows each player and the capability of the lads.

The Sri lankans play first class cricket from a very young age and hold the advantage over most other teams. It would not be fair to single out any particular player at this stage. Playing at home on wickets that are suited to their game is also an added advantage.

D. S. De Silva has stated that his side is full of allrounders and therefore much is expected of each one of them. One-day cricket, in which the Sri Lankans excel at, needs players who are strong with both bat and ball.

The toss in these games will play an important role, at the moment of writing the weather in the island is uncertain with showers in the late afternoon.

Despite the manager not wanting to name stars there are a number in the team who are expected to play for the national side in the future. Ian Daniels, from St. Josephs College, has made runs against the touring Leicestershire CC last year and has been scoring heavily in schools cricket.

The others to watch are the captain, Malintha Gajanayake, who is a fine all-rounder for Bloomfield CC; Prabath Nissanka is a promising fast bowler from Matara who bowled well during the recently concluded 'A' tour of South Africa. Finally the off-spinner Pushpakumara has much talent and a bright future.