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The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association must be highly commended for arranging an under-19 cricket tour of India. Undoubtedly, these young cricketers will be our future Test players. Therefore this tour is very important, at this juncture, as some of our key players in the national team will very likely call it a day after the World Cup.

In the six-match itinerary, there is a one off Test at Mumbai from 27 to March 2. The opening 3-day game will be from February 22-24. There will be four one-day games (March 5-7 at Gwalior and March 9 and 11 at Delhi.

The team is captained by Thomian and SSC dashing opening batsman Upekha Fernando, who is knocking at the door for national honours. Sri Lanka ``cap'' Prasanna Jayawardane, wicket-keeper, who excelled in South Africa is the vice-captain. Then there is ``Test Cap'' Malinga Bandara, left arm bowler.

The team consists of sixteen players. Out of this, five are from the outstations. They are Chamara Silva (Royal Panadura/ Panadura S.C.), Pubudu Seneviratne (Dharmaraja - Kandy), Sujeeva de Silva (Kalutara Vidyalaya, Kalutara J.C.), Prabath Nissanka (Matara S.C.), Sampath Kelum (Rahula - Matara/ Matara S.C.). Others in the team are Ian Daniels (S.J.C.), J. Fernando (SPC), T. Kandambi (Ananda)< M. Gajanayake (D.S.S. MV), N. Wijesinghe (Sebastianites), M. Bandara (NCC), J. Mubrak (Royal), D. Perera (Bloomfield), Ranil Dhammika (Lumbini MV/ Dharmapala SC).

I feel that tours of this nature should be a regular feature, and should be encouraged. If you analyse, lack of these under-19 youth team and ``A'' team tours have placed even the selection and the BCCSL in difficult situation at times, in finding suitable worthy replacements for the national team. The experience and exposure these young players gain, will be a ``transfer of training'' for the future. Discipline should be instilled into them at this young age and they must learn to put the country before self.

Under 20 Indian Tour 1969 - A landmark

My mind goes back to the year 1969. As the Master-in-charge of cricket and Prefect of Games of Nalanda Vidyalaya, Colombo, I was proud to be associated as a selector of the Schools Cricket Association in selecting the Sri Lanka under-20 team to India. I consider this tour as a landmark in the history of cricket in Sri Lanka. Under the able guidance of that highly respected ``Educationist Par Excellence'' Mr. P.M. Jayatilake, former Principal Ibbagamuwa MMV and Principal Thurstan College 1969, who was one time the record-holder of Ananda-Nalanda series (111 runs), secretary SLSCA A.D. Karunananda (Ananda), late Orville Abeynaike (S.T.C.-MTL), John de Saram (Royal), Angelo Rayer (SJC), Edmund Dissanayake (Wesley) and yours truly from Nalanda, selected that champion outfit of 1969, who defeated India on their own soil. :Stepping stone for many national players

I still remember, that as a member of the selection committee of S.L.S.C.A., how I nominated G.R.A. de Silva, (Dharmasoka) popularly known as Ajith de Silva (Ananda), my own Bandula Warnapura and Leslie Narangoda (Nalanda). Later, Bandula became the first Test captain and Ajith was hailed as the best left arm leg spinner that Sri Lanka produced in the recent past. Leslie Narangoda that brilliant all-rounder and one of the artists in fielding from Nalanda, devoted his entire life by even sacrificing a job to become a full time coach at his alma-mater.'' Unfortunately, now I understand, that Leslie, who did yeoman service to improve the standard of cricket at Nalanda was removed at end of last year by the school authorities ``unceremoniously. Food for thought for old Nalandians.

I proposed the name of Asitha Jayaweera (Royal), that brilliant all rounder as the Deputy to Mitra Wettimuny (Ananda) who led the side admirably and brought credit and honour to the country. It must be remembered that this tour was a stepping stone for many national cricketers including the first victorious Sri Lankan Test captain Duleep Mendis. Today he is serving the country as the chairman of the selection committee and as a dedicated cricket administrator.

Among the team members that come to my mind in this champion side who distinguished as fine sportsmen are Royalist Nagath Fernando (Rugger) late Thurstanite Dinesh Rajaratnam (Sports Commentator) Anandian Ananda Jayatilake, to name a few.

It's happy to note that the present team is handled by four dedicated officials - Carlton Bernadus (Coach), Asantha de Mel (Manager), Lal Thamal (Physiotherapist) and Justin Jayasuriya (Schools representative).

We wish the team good luck.

Thurstan-Isipatana Annual Cricket Encounter 1999 will be played on March 6 and 7 at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium for the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy. This is the 36th big match played between the two teams.

A big bouquet should be presented to the joint organising committee of the two schools in making arrangements to make this year' s event too to big success. The joint committee consists of Priya Paranavitane, Bhathiya Seebert, K.H. Nandasena, Kitsiri Bandara, Ashok Witharana, Jagath de Alwis, K.L.H.P. Sirisena, Sanath Nanayakkara, Ruwan Pandithage, Sirosha Gunatilake, Ajith Tilakasiri, Janaka Saman, M.H.M. Atzal, Anil Weerakkody under the guidance of principals of Isipatana and Thurstan Upali Gunasekera and R.D.M.P. Weerathunga.