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Fielding has been placed on top priority and is expected to be the key to success when the Sri Lanka Under 19 cricketers embark on a short tour to India tomorrow.

The importance of fielding has been drilled into the 16 young charges by coach Carlton Bernadus, himself an outstanding cover fieldsman for St. Joseph's, Colombo and Colombo Colts CC.

The youngsters have been told that they have no place in the side if their fielding is not up to the mark.

``The players know how tough playing India in their conditions is going to be. India are of a higher class and it will be a good testing tour for our youngsters,'' said Bernadus.

With only a one-off Test at Mumbai (February 27-March 2) scheduled in the six match itinerary, there is not much a team can do if they don't accustom themselves to the conditions quickly.

Sri Lanka's request to convert the opening 3-day game at Mumbai (February 22-24) into a Test has not been met by their Indian counteparts so far. Thus, it has to be assumed at this stage that only one Test will be played on the tour in addition to the four one-day games (March 5 & 7 at Gwalior and, March 9 & 11 at Delhi).

The team led by Thomian and SSC opener Upekha Fernando is vastly experienced, but no so much against foreign opposition. Six members Fernando, vice-captain Prasanna Jayawardene, Thilina Kandambi, Malintha Gajanayake, Chamara Silva and Malinga Bandara were members of the Sri Lanka team that took part in the Youth World Cup in South Africa two years ago.

Jayawardene in fact went on to win the best wicket-keeper's award and later found a place in the senior team as reserve wicket-keeper to Romesh Kaluwitharana on the successful tour to England last July. Leg-spinner Bandara won a Test cap against New Zealand last year, while Fernando was a member of the Sri Lanka team that played India in the under 19 series at home two years ago.

Tours of this nature should be a regular feature along with 'A' tours in Sri Lanka's international calendar. A lack of consistency in organising such tours has placed the senior team in a precarious position with no proper replacements whenever injuries occur.

The Tour Party

Upekha Fernando, captain (S. Thomas' ML/SSC). 19 years. Right-hand bat/slow medium-pace.

Prasanna Jayawardene, vice-captain (NCC). 19 years. Right-hand bat/wicket-keeper.

Ian Daniels (St. Joseph's, Colombo). 17 years. Right-hand bat/medium-pace.

Jerome Fernando (St. Peter's). 19 years. Left-hand bat/reserve wicekt-keeper.

Thilina Kandambi (Ananda). 16 years. Left-hand bat/right-arm medium-pace.

Malintha Gajanayake (D.S. Senanayake MV). 18 years. Right-hand bat.

Chamara Silva (Royal, Panadura/Panadura SC). 19 years. Right-hand bat.

Nalin Wijesinghe (Sebastianites). 19 years. Right-hand bat.

Pubudu Seneviratne (Dharmaraja, Kandy). 19 years. Right-hand bat.

Malinga Bandara (NCC). 19 years. Right-hand bat/right-arm leg-spin.

Ranil Dammika (Lumbini MV/Dharmapala SC). 18 years. Left-hand bat/left-arm leg-spin.

Jehan Mubarak (Royal, Colombo). 18 years. Left-hand bat/right-arm off spin.

Duminda Perera (Bloomfield). 19 years. Right-hand bat/medium-pace.

Sujeeva de Silva (Kalutara Vidyalaya/Kalutara TC). 19 years. Left-hand bat/left-arm medium-pace.

Prabath Nissanka (Matara SC). 18 years. Right-hand bat/right-arm fast-medium.

Sathpath Kelum (Rahula, Matara/Matara SC). 18 years. Right-hand bat/right-arm fast-medium.

Officials: Carlton Bernadus (coach), Ashantha de Mel (manager), Lal Thamal (physio), Justin Jayasuriya (schools representive).