Lasith Malinga has been included in Sri Lanka's World
Cup fifteen subject to fitness. Sri Lanka named an almost identical squad to
the one that will play an ODI series in New Zealand later this month - the
exception is fast bowler Shaminda Eranga, who has been left out.
Malinga
had undergone surgery on a troubled left ankle in September, and missed Sri
Lanka's one-dayers against India and England after that, before returning to the
squad for the upcoming
ODIs against New Zealand.
There
are no real surprises in the squad. In Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara,
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Rangana Herath Sri Lanka have a wealth of experience
at their disposal, even without Malinga.
Opener
Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been part of Sri Lanka's squads for the two ODI
assignments leading up to the World Cup - the series against England in
November and December, which Sri Lanka won 5-2, and the upcoming series in New
Zealand - retains his place. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who was dropped for the
England series at home but made his way back to the squad for New Zealand
courtesy strong showings in domestic cricket, also makes it.
Given
the conditions in Australia and New Zealand, the selectors picked only two
specialist spinners for the showpiece tournament, in left-arm spinner Herath
and offspinner Sachithra Senanayake. They will be backed up by legspinning
allrounder Jeevan Mendis. The other allrounders in the squad include captain
Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Thirimanne and
Chandimal join Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Karunaratne as the specialist
batsmen, while Dhammika Prasad and Suranga Lakmal are the specialist
fast-bowling options in addition to Malinga and Kulasekara.
Sri
Lanka will play seven ODIs in New Zealand from January 11 to January 29. Then
they play two warm-ups, against South Africa and Zimbabwe, before they feature
in the World Cup's opening game, against New Zealand, on February 14 at the
Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The other teams in Pool A, with Sri Lanka and New
Zealand, are Australia, England, Scotland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt),
Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru
Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis,
Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika
Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake
Comments
Post a Comment