Sri Lanka banks on experienced players for ICC Champions Trophy 2013

• Chanaka Welegedara recalled after a lapse of three years; Ajantha Mendis, Upul Tharanga overlooked

By David Ebert

Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy matches to be played in England in June at a press briefing chaired by Chairman Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya yesterday.

Sri Lanka will join New Zealand, Australia and England in Group A, one of the toughest groups in the Championship which kicks off from 6 June.

Pace bowler Chanaka Welagedara comes back into the line-up after a prolonged absence due to an injury picked up in Australia and having played his last ODI back in 2010. He joins a spirited pace attack that includes Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera and Shaminda Eranga.

Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya stated that Welagedara has displayed improvement and performed well in the domestic club format and has fully recovered from injury following rehabilitation to be declared fit for the series. In addition Jayasuriya explained that Welagedara being the only experienced left arm pace bowler in the side, will have a crucial role to play in the English conditions, hence justifying his selection.

Off spinner Sachithra Senanayake joins seasoned campaigner Rangana Herath in the specialist spin department for the series having been picked ahead of Ajantha Mendis. Jayasuriya speaking on his selection stated that the youngster has been performing well his decision to include him ahead of the more experienced Mendis.

Jayasuriya explained that Lahiru Thirimanne and Kusal Janith Perera with their performances in the recently concluded Bangladesh series have been included to add a more variety in the batting top order.

Responding to a query regarding his pledge to include more young talent in future tour selections, Jayasuriya stated: “This tour is a very important one for us being the Champions Trophy and we don’t want to throw young players into the deep end too quickly. For this series we need players with experience who can handle pressure and that is the basis for our selections.”

Sri Lanka plays their first game against New Zealand on 9 May in Cardiff.

The team approved by the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage is as follows: Angelo Mathews (Capt), Dinesh Chandimal (Vice Capt), T M Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Lahiru Thirimane, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekera, Shaminda Eranga, Sachithra Senanayake and Chanaka Welagedera.