Six Northern players and two from the North-West are among the under-17 and under-19s joining senior duo Beau Webster and Cameron Boyce in a squad of 14 heading to the sub-continent on July 16.

Coaches by Clinton Reid and Shannon Tubb, the team will play two weeks of cricket against similar Sri Lankan teams in a schedule featuring four 50-over matches, two 60-over red-ball games and one Twenty20.

Reid said the intention is to give the players experience that may assist their progression to the senior ranks.

“Ideally at the end of the under-19 program, we can provide rookie contract players to the Tigers,” Reid said.

“This is a great opportunity for the state’s best young cricketers to experience sub-continent conditions.

“Last year we were lucky enough to take a team to England to play in those conditions and this further adds to their experience. 

“For a player to have played in both English and Sri Lankan conditions puts them in good stead going forward and we certainly hope there are state players of the future in this squad.”