Sri Lanka scales back squad after Silva pullout

AFP: Sri Lanka’s cricket board will not replace all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva who withdrew from a tour of the West Indies following the murder of his father, officials said yesterday. 

Ranjan de Silva, a local politician, was shot dead near Colombo late Thursday (24 May), hours before the team was due to leave for the three-match Test series in the West Indies. 

“There will be no replacement for Dhananjaya,” a board official told AFP. “Instead of a 17-member squad, we will now have 16.” Sri Lanka Cricket said it will support the 26-year-old Dhananjaya “at this time of sorrow and grief”. Police said an investigation was underway but no arrests had been made. 

Sri Lanka will also miss opener Dimuth Karunaratne who fractured a finger while batting in the nets this month as he prepared for a domestic tournament. 

Revised Sri Lanka squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.

Dhananjaya grieving at home after father’s murder

Reuters: Sri Lanka batsman Dhananjaya de Silva will not travel with the team for their West Indies tour following his father’s killing, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said yesterday.

Sri Lankan media reported local politician Ranjan De Silva, 62, was killed by an unidentified gunman on Thursday (24 May), just a day before his son was to depart to the Caribbean for the three-test tour, starting 6 June.

“We are extremely shocked, perturbed and saddened by the great loss suffered by Dhananjaya and his family,” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said in a statement. “Sri Lanka Cricket will take every measure to support Dhananjaya at this time of sorrow and grief for him and his family, while giving him time to overcome the great pain and suffering caused by this tragedy.”

The first of three tests against the West Indies begins at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.