Sri Lanka cricket squad departs for Champions Trophy

Sri Lanka’s cricketers were given a Buddhist blessing before their departure from Colombo for the United Kingdom and the Champions Trophy one-day tournament beginning in June.

Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad has been bolstered by the return of former captain Mahela Jayawardene, who missed the home series against Bangladesh due to a finger injury and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was rested.

The Sri Lankans are in Group A for the Champions Trophy, alongside hosts England, Australia and New Zealand; Group B will comprise of India, Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies. They begin their campaign on 9 June in Cardiff against New Zealand.

Captain Angelo Mathews told journalists after the Buddhist blessing: “We are professionals. We know how to prepare for a tournament like this and I think the boys are pretty confident of themselves.”