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England's New Prospect with Sri Lankan Roots: Malisha Tennakoon Shines ...
By Leonard Ratnayake Under grey English skies and the distant hum of Australian grounds, a young cricketer is quietly shaping a story that stretches across continents. Malisha Tennakoon, a name now beginning to echo in youth cricket circles, represents more than just promise, she embodies a bridge between heritage and ambition, roots and opportunity. At the ongoing Women’s Under-19 Tri-Series in Australia, featuring England Women’s Under-19 Cricket Team, Sri Lanka Women’s Under-19 Cricket Team, and Australia Women’s Under-19 Cricket Team, results have painted a challenging picture for England. Six consecutive losses in the T20 leg have raised questions, while Australia and Sri Lanka have shared the spoils with commanding performances. Yet, beyond scorecards and standings, the tournament has revealed something far more enduring: emerging talent that could define the future of women’s cricket. Among those stories, Malisha Tennakoon stands out not just for her performances, but for what she represents. Born into Sri Lankan heritage, Malisha now wears the England U-19 jersey with pride. Alongside teammate Venus Weerappuli, another player with Sri Lankan roots, she has captured attention both in England and back in the island nation her family once called home. For Sri Lankan fans, it is a moment of quiet pride; for England, it is a glimpse into the multicultural fabric shaping its sporting future. Malisha’s journey is not one of overnight success. A student at Abbotsholm School in Derbyshire, she has steadily built her cricketing identity through discipline and versatility. A right-hand middle-order batter and a right-arm pace bowler, she brings balance to the side—an all-rounder in the truest sense. Though she entered the Tri-Series squad as a reserve, she seized her opportunity, featuring in three ODI matches and leaving an impression that numbers alone cannot capture. Her development has been nurtured through England’s domestic pathways. As part of the Warwickshire academy, and representing Derbyshire Falcons as well as Staffordshire at age-group level, Malisha has honed her skills across competitive environments. Each step has been incremental, each milestone earned. One of her earliest defining moments came years before international selection at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. As an Under-13 player, she featured in and won the Lady Taverners National Cup final. For many young cricketers, playing at Lord’s is a dream. For Malisha, it became an early af...
Malisha Tennakoon with Sri Lankan roots, now proudly donning England U ...
Sri Lanka Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu is blocking out the noise around her future and locking into the present as her team prepares for a high-stakes tour of Bangladesh, where World Cup qualification points and momentum are firmly on the line. Even as conversations about how long she might continue in international cricket gather pace, Chamari is keeping her approach measured. A recent discussion with the new head coach included a request for her to extend her career, but the skipper is not ready to look that far ahead. “He spoke to me about continuing for another one or two years, but I prefer to take it step by step,” she said before the team’s departure. “My focus is on staying fit and performing. I don’t want to think too much about the future when there’s so much to do right now.” What lies directly ahead is a six-match series three ODIs in Rajshahi followed by three T20Is in Sylhet with the 50-over games carrying added weight. Sri Lanka are firmly in the race for automatic qualification to the next ICC Women’s World Cup, and the points available in Bangladesh could prove decisive. “These matches are very important for us,” Chamari said. “If we can secure those ODI points, it gives us a direct path to the World Cup. The team is in a good space mentally, and we’re confident about what we can achieve.” That confidence will be tested early, not just by the conditions but also by changes in the lineup. Young opener Vishmi Gunaratne has been ruled out through injury, forcing a reshuffle at the top of the order. Chamari admitted the absence is significant but believes it opens the door for another player to step in. “Vishmi has been a key player for us, so it’s definitely a loss,” she said. “But Hasini has earned this chance. She’s been performing consistently in domestic matches and other tournaments, so now it’s about taking that next step.” There is also a personal fitness concern hovering over the captain herself. Chamari is recovering from a hand injury that required nine stitches, leaving her availability for the opening matches uncertain. “I’m still working on my recovery, and we’ll have to assess things day by day,” she said. “Hopefully I can be ready, but we won’t rush it.” Despite these setbacks, the mood within the squad remains optimistic, helped in part by a fresh approach from the new coaching staff. Since taking over after the West Indies series, the head coach has placed a clear emphasis on sharpening Sri Lanka’s power-hitti...
Australia Women Under-19s vs England Women Under-19s - CricTracker
AUS-W vs ENG-W Squads: Check the full squad for Australia Women Under-19s vs England Women Under-19s, Match 7 of Women's Under-19 Tri-Series in Australia 2026 only on CricTracker
Australia Women Under-19s vs England Women Under-19s Highlights, Match ...
Australia Women Under-19s vs England Women Under-19s Highlights, Match 7, 15 April, 2026
