Sri Lanka women’s under 19 team led by Manudi Nanayakkara expected to make new plans to play their last ODI match of the Tri Nation Series against England today at Galle International cricket stadium, commencing from 10 am.
Sri Lanka and England yet to win a single game at this ODI series while Australia under 19 team defeated both England and Sri Lanka to come on first.
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 88 runs while Aussies recorded their second ODI win over England by 2 wickets after good battle on Sunday and England and Sri Lanka both looking to search for their first win to finish on a winning note.
Sri Lanka team chasing a target of 228 in their Australia game bundled out for 140 and their top order were struggling in this game and today Sri Lanka team management are expected to use few new players to get successful results. “we want to give match exposure for all and we are lacking ODI match practice and this is the first time Sri Lanka under 19 players are involved in ODI International series,” said Hemantha Devapriya the Manager of the team.
Sri Lanka finished second at the Hambantota T-20 Tri Nation Series and they recorded close victories against both Australia and England but both Australia and England adjusted to the ground conditions and fought back to win later matches against Sri Lanka.
The overall Sri Lanka fielding was not up to standard at the previous matches but at the last Australia ODI Sri Lanka fielders made good catches to restrict Aussies for 228. The bowlers especially spinners are in good form while 14 year old Chamodi Munasinghe claimed 3 for 43 against Australia and spin department has to make good pressure today.
England have well balanced side while their key batter Davina Perrin was rested last Australia ODI and she will be back to the side today. Davina Perrin inclusion will strengthen the England team.
Both teams Sri Lanka and England had successful training sessions yesterday while both teams are ready to name their final eleven today after observing the wicket.
Sri Lanka skipper Manudi Nanayakkara said the side is confident of beating England but more importantly we want to get good exposure in this last game of the Tri series. Our batters have to get more responsibility while the head coach Mahesh Weerasinghe, Assistant coach Umal Erandika and Fielding coach Lasanthi Madushani are giving their best.
In fact Galle International Cricket Stadium manager Harsha Munasinghe made all effort to make this ODI series a success and both England and Australia highly praised the Galle grounds and it’s set up for this Tri Nation Series and credit should go to SLC for organising women’s under 19 series.
Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Galle