No surprises in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad

• Injured bowlers picked subject to fitness

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

After all the furore over the captaincy and the poor form shown by some of the players Sri Lanka selectors have more or less retained the same squad that finished runner-up to India in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Lahiru Kumara are only new additions to the Asia Cup squad. Both didn’t play in the tournament due to injuries.

Three players recovering from injuries have been named in the squad of 15, all of them subject to fitness – Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka. 

As a cover up, leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne have been named as travelling reserves.

The squad includes two young excitingly talented players both 20 years – all-rounder Dunith Wellalage and fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana who between them have played 25 ODIs. They showcased their skills during the Asia Cup.

A point of interest is that Kusal Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been named as wicket-keepers. Vice- Captain Kusal Mendis who kept wickets throughout the Asia Cup it seems has been relieved of his duties and told to concentrate on his batting. He is a vital cog in the team’s top order batting.

Despite his poor run with the bat Dasun Shanaka retains the captaincy, as does Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne who failed to produce the form he showed in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, scoring 53 runs in four innings with a top score of 32.

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera once again misses out on another World Cup tournament with an injury. He was also injured ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva are the only survivors of the last Cricket World Cup held in England in 2019, the rest of the squad including the Captain will be making their maiden appearance at a Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka has till 26 September to make any late changes to the squad.

Sri Lanka squad for Cricket World Cup 2023

Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness), Maheesh Theekshana (subject to fitness), Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka (subject to fitness), Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara.

Travelling reserves: Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.