Sri Lankan teen called up for Australia at Indoor Cricket Junior World Series

By Madushka Balasuriya

“A dream come true” was how Sri Lankan-born Sanjiv Weerasingham, 13, described his emotions after learning that he had been chosen to represent Australia at the World Indoor Cricket Federation Junior World Series.

The tournament brings together the best young indoor talent in the world and Weerasingham’s impressive showing at the Australian Junior Indoor Cricket Championships in July, where he captained the NSW Blues to a third-place finish, ensured his selection for the under-13 Australia A team.

“I would never have thought that I would have a chance to represent Australia at 13 because there were so many talented cricketers for the selectors to choose from at the Nationals,” said Weerasingham, who lives in Blair Athol, a Sydney suburb in New South Wales. “As captain of the NSW team, I think I performed pretty well at the Nationals with the support of the team. The best aspect of the competition was that we had lots of fun playing as a team and won the majority of the games to qualify for the preliminary finals.” 

Weerasingham, who schools at St. Gregory’s College in Sydney, where he dabbles in outdoor cricket for the Magpies Cricket Club, also spoke of his strengths in the indoor version of the popular sport.

“My usual position is at the back net (receiver). I also bowl spin. So, I am considered an all-rounder but I mainly enjoy batting,” said Weerasingham, who while surprised at his selection “knew that I had a pretty good tournament leading the NSW side”.

The tournament will take place in Toombul, Queensland from 25 September-3 October.