World Cup 2019: Sri Lanka make a host of changes, announce 15-man squad
The Sri Lankan selectors have gone out of the box and announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in England full of surprises. The squad will be led by opener Dimuth Karunaratne who was recently announced as the captain of the side only yesterday.
The likes of Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana and Jeffrey Vandersay have made a surprise return to the squad. There have also been some big name exclusions like former captain Dinesh Chandimal, opener Upul Tharanga, wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella and spinner Akila Dananjaya. The likes of Danushka Gunathilaka and Asela Gunaratne have also not been considered by the selectors.
Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Lahiru Thirimanne all played their last ODI for Sri Lanka in 2017. Meanwhile, for leg-spinning all-rounder Jeevan Mendis, it has been a long and arduous wait, having last the donned the national colours in the ODI format in February 2015.
Sri Lanka squad for ICC #CWC19 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/d0WGDzVqJ7
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) April 18, 2019
Karunaratne will have some experienced campaigners and star performers to bank upon during the tournament with Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmal all present in the squad. With Thisara Perera and Isuru Udana both in the squad, the Sri Lankans will also have the option of fielding two pace bowling all-rounders.
The selectors have also kept four players on standby – Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Perera.
Sri Lanka will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand at Cardiff on June 1. Before the start of the tournament, the Lankans will play two ODIs against Scotland and will also play a couple of warm-up matches against South Africa and Australia.
Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep.
