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Sri Lanka announce squad for 2019 World Cup

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Nikhil_cric

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Squad : Dimuth Karunaratne (capt.), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal


No chandimal, akila, gunathilaka, tharanga, dickwella. Interesting.
 
Not a good squad. Too many TTFs. Whatever happened to that kid Chameera? Or Kumara? Good fast bowlers. Kusal Perera and Mendis should form the core of their batting.
 
Quite an average squad imo. Would be shocked if they made it out of the group stages.
 
Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis made remarkable comebacks as Sri Lanka announced their 15-strong squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 on Thursday, 18 April.

Siriwardana and Vandersay last played one-day internationals in October 2017, while Jeevan Mendis' previous appearance in the format came in the 2015 World Cup match against Afghanistan.

However, many of the regulars, including Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga and Akila Dananjaya, were excluded from the squad altogether, with Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Kasun Rajitha, and Wanindu Hasaranga placed on standby.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffery Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360
 
My guy Malinga still going, the last of his kind and generation that is probably left. Remember the 4 in 4 bah gawd it feels like yesterday, I tried to get tickets for the game against Lanka so I could see him live but it wasn't to be but what a student of the game. And any team that can beat SA in SA has serious potential and Lanka do punch above their weight at times in tournaments, all the best to them
 
Gabbar Singh said:
Quite an average squad imo. Would be shocked if they made it out of the group stages.
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Look at the era we are playing in, you don't need Viv Richards and Wasim Akrams to progress really far; a lot of it boils down to who handles pressure the best more then anything else to be honest. No one gave these blokes a chance in 96 either, Lanka may shock the world once again by making the last 4.
 
They have included some players that have not been part of their team for 2 years now, strange decision but I guess they had no other option with the form of their current players and Sri Lankan team.

My XI will be:

Dimuth Karunaratne(C)
Lahiru Thirimanne
Kusal Mendis
Dhananjaya De Silva
Angelo Mathews
Kusal Perera(Wk)
Thisara Perera
Isru Udana
Lasith Malinga
Jeffrey Vandersay
Suranga Lakmal
 
shaz619 said:
My guy Malinga still going, the last of his kind and generation that is probably left. Remember the 4 in 4 bah gawd it feels like yesterday, I tried to get tickets for the game against Lanka so I could see him live but it wasn't to be but what a student of the game. And any team that can beat SA in SA has serious potential and Lanka do punch above their weight at times in tournaments, all the best to them
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That was in tests, man. Last couple of years they have been beaten by every other team including Afghanistan and have been whitewashed by India,PAK, NZ and SA in bilateral ODI series'. Absolutely hopeless team nowadays.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
That was in tests, man. Last couple of years they have been beaten by every other team including Afghanistan and have been whitewashed by India,PAK, NZ and SA in bilateral ODI series'. Absolutely hopeless team nowadays.
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But doesn't this squad have a big chunk of the players who won the Tests in SA ? if so they have a chance. Honestly though, they tend to do much better in tournaments; over an eight year period (2007–2015), Sri Lanka played in five ICC finals 2007 Cricket World Cup , 2009 ICC World Twenty20, 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2012 ICC World Twenty20, and 2014 ICC World Twenty20.

In 2017 they didn't have the best CT but did shock runners up India and pushed Pakistan to the limit as well which shows they put their weight into their punches in tournies.
 
I honestly cannot believe this is their World Cup squad. Surely, their is some back door politics occurring, which is restricting the board from picking players on merit.

Niroshan dickwella is arguably their most aggressive and innovative batsman. How on earth did he miss out?? Furterhmore, it makes no sense at all to leave out star mystery spinner akila dananjaya. Apart from Malinga, he was the only other wicket taking option. Also the inclusions of thirimanne, karunaratne, Fernando, Nuwan pradeep and siriwardana are all questionable inclusions.
 
Absolutely awful squad. I like Sri Lanka but this squad is awful. How do Dickwella and Danajaya not make this average team ? Mendis is 36 and hasn't played for a few years why on earth is he selected? Pradeep isn't reliable fitness wise and is average anyway.

They have dropped players they have backed for a few years and selected ones who haven't always been regulars. :facepalm:

So much wrong with this squad. Expecting them to be beaten black and blue by the top teams.
 
Shocker of a squad with No dickwella , gunathika, gunaratne , tharanga, chameera , chandimal.They are already doomed.
 
What a shocker of a squad. WHERE'S DICKWELLA?
He played pretty well in the CT17.
 
Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis made remarkable comebacks as Sri Lanka announced their 15-strong squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 on Thursday, 18 April.

Siriwardana and Vandersay last played one-day internationals in October 2017, while Jeevan Mendis' previous appearance in the format came in the 2015 World Cup match against Afghanistan.

However, many of the regulars, including Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga and Akila Dananjaya, were excluded from the squad altogether, with Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Kasun Rajitha, and Wanindu Hasaranga placed on standby.

The axe from the selectors came after Sri Lanka's recent tour to South Africa, where they succumbed to a 5-0 defeat in the ODI series. Kusal Mendis and Oshada Fernando, Sri Lanka's highest run-scorers in that series, have retained their place in the squad.

Angelo Matthews, one of the most experienced members with 218 ODI appearances to his name, made a comeback to the squad after being dropped from the ODI set-up last year over fitness concerns. Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeewan Mendis and Siriwardana complete the all-rounder contingent alongside Matthews.

Malinga, who was named skipper for the South Africa tour, will spearhead their bowling attack in the tournament, with Dimuth Karunaratne replacing him at the helm. Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal slot into the seam department, while Vandersay comes in as the only specialist spin-bowler.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffery Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360
 
A little short in pace bowling (they went for experience, which isn’t a bad idea), and couple of big names missing in Chandimal & Dickwella, but this is probably what is there. Regarding Chandi, I am sure Hathura has some input in it. An uncompromising guy, who decided that recent sacked Captain shouldn’t be with the squad.

Making Karuna Captain is probably to keep it in balance between Angelo, Thisara & Malinga, and he is a good guy to lead the side. Their SAF tour was a disaster, but team is better than that. Not expecting them to make the SF cut, but they’ll be better than SAF tour.
 
Wow no Akila, Tharanga, Dickwella or Chandimal? Is this because of poor form or what?
 
MMHS said:
A little short in pace bowling (they went for experience, which isn’t a bad idea), and couple of big names missing in Chandimal & Dickwella, but this is probably what is there. Regarding Chandi, I am sure Hathura has some input in it. An uncompromising guy, who decided that recent sacked Captain shouldn’t be with the squad.

Making Karuna Captain is probably to keep it in balance between Angelo, Thisara & Malinga, and he is a good guy to lead the side. Their SAF tour was a disaster, but team is better than that. Not expecting them to make the SF cut, but they’ll be better than SAF tour.
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Why was Dickwella dropped?
 
If Sri Lanka were in the WC Qualifier they would not have had a hope of qualifying. Been appalling for a couple years in ODI's now, and the administration is a complete shambles.
 
Leaving out akila is justified. Many bowlers are completely innocuous after changing their actions :ajmal2
 
Donal Cozzie said:
If Sri Lanka were in the WC Qualifier they would not have had a hope of qualifying. Been appalling for a couple years in ODI's now, and the administration is a complete shambles.
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yet no one seems to blame Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Dilshan for not grooming the next generation.

Whereas Misbah is the main cause for all of our issues.
 
MMHS said:
No idea - he was the WK as well. Might be personal issues with board or Hathura - heard that guy is a loose cannon.........
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He was VC for South Africa series lol. Backed for 3 years and now dropped for the WC. Surely a political decision not to select him.
 
Some very questionable omissions. Also surprised to see Jeevan Mendis is back, he seemed very mediocre at international level
 
This is mind boggling,

SL Captain Dimuth Karunaratne(C), has not been selected in ODI team for last 4 years, his last ODI was in 2015, before that he played 17 ODIs with only one fifty. Now brought back, as captain. :broad

So Inzi is not the only visionary selector around.

Can anyone make sense of it ?
 
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I have always felt that Kusal Perera should open. Don't understand why Sri Lanka plays him in the middle order.
 
This is the worst squad of lot. I seriously don't get it.
 
giri26 said:
This is the worst squad of lot. I seriously don't get it.
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This is probably the best they have and I doubt any Lankan XI could accomplish anything at this point. Except Dickwella, other selections are not outrageously bad.
 
Sports minister Harin Fernando in a FB post about selection of the Sri Lanka WC Squad:


With regards to the recent selection of the WC team to England wales.

I wish to clarify few facts. First and foremost a minister does not get involved in selections. We have selectors paid by Sri Lanka cricket to do that job. Once the selection process is done it comes for approval to the minister.

The captaincy and the players were all picked by selectors. The fact that Dimuth was a josephian is irrelevant to his appointment. Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera was too.

Unfortunate to see people bring up religion and other pointless arguments as to the selection process. For those who do not know Dimuth K went to joes but is a strong Buddist. I believe whats ones religion or race should not matter in sport or for anything for that matter. What I realized over the last few months of being a sports minister is that you need to have team work in a team sport. This is the responsibility the selectors have given him and I believe the current team will do there best and wish them the very best at all times.

We do not lack in talent. It’s the confidence and hard work that will get us over the line. As Unfortunately only 15 men get this opportunity of a life time. Hope they do justice and we as citizens can only support them and get behind them. My approach was to never interfere with selection as my predecessors did. I am certain all of their victory. I will back them with all my heart and soul. Make sure we play to our true potential. I always believed a good player may not be the best captain and a good captain may not be the best player.

There will be 11 men on the ground with different jobs in hand. Social media and print media criticize but end of the day there are paid people to do the job. I thank all selectors of SLC for the effort that was put in. My job from now will be to be close to the boys motivate them and make sure mother lanka regain its lost glory. I wish the team and management the very best for the upcoming games.
 
Its a weak team, too many bits and pieces player. Does not look threatening at all. The batting will win them one or two games here and there , but will not progress further.
 
So how come no one is blaming Sangakkara, Jayawaredene & Dilshan for leaving the team in dire straits?
 
Must be a traumatic time for Sri Lanka players this - hope it wont effect their performance.
 
Chaminda Vaas, the former Sri Lanka paceman, believes Lasith Malinga's form and his leadership qualities will play the decisive role for Sri Lanka at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

Sri Lanka announced their 15-man World Cup squad for the tournament last week, which included plenty of surprise omissions and comebacks. However, Vaas, who was in Mumbai to inaugurate a local T20 tournament on Tuesday, 23 April, thought the selectors had done a good job.

"For the last few months, Sri Lanka hasn't done so well. But if you analyse the combination of the team which we picked for the World Cup, I'm pretty sure that the selectors have done the right thing," he said. "We have to take it from there, and it's up to the players to get themselves in and play well for the country."

Vaas, who had a stint as Sri Lanka's bowling coach in 2017, said a lot depended on Malinga, and hailed him as one of the world's best players. "There is no doubt that Malinga is one of the best in the world, and the best in Sri Lanka," he said. "We depend on him as a bowler, and he showed his leadership qualities.

"He has given 100 per cent for the team. We have seen him playing in Mumbai [in IPL] on one day and playing in Sri Lanka [in a domestic tournament] the next day. It shows the commitment he has, and the commitment he has to the team and the country. He will be the key for Sri Lanka cricket in the upcoming World Cup."

Dimuth Karunaratne, who last played an ODI in 2015, will lead Sri Lanka at the World Cup – he will be one of many captains that Sri Lanka have tried in the last couple of years.

Vaas, who took 355 Test wickets and 400 in ODIs, admitted captaincy had been a problem for Sri Lanka, but hoped for the best from Karunaratne. "The selectors and Sri Lanka Cricket have put their trust in Dimuth, and given him an opportunity to captain the side," said Vaas. "I'm pretty sure the team will unite and will do well in the upcoming World Cup."

Sri Lanka begin their World Cup campaign on 1 June in Cardiff against New Zealand.


https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1195982
 
Where should Kusal Perera bat for Sri Lanka in the 2019 World Cup?

For me, Kusal Perera is the most exciting player of this SL squad. He will be a key player for them for their fortune.

Now, my question is where should Kusal Perera bat for SL in WC ?

I love watching him opening the innings and getting off to a flying start in the 1st powerplay. I think he is best suited as an opener. But unfortunately Sri Lanka off late hasn't used him as an opener. In his last ODI, he batted at 3.

I think Sri Lanka can make the most out of him by giving him the opening slot with Dimuth Karunaratne.
 
Below M Perera, But above K Silva and GKM Perera.


De Silva can open and TKUN Perera can play as an All rounder.

I don't know who's in the squad to be honest. And these names are just guesses as there will be 3 Pereras and 2 Silvas at any given time.
 
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Kohli said:
Below M Perera, But above K Silva and GKM Perera.


De Silva can open and TKUN Perera can play as an All rounder.

I don't know who's in the squad to be honest. And these names are just guesses as there will be 3 Pereras and 2 Silvas at any given time.
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2 Pereras (Kusal, Thishara), 1 Silva (Dhananjaya) & 2 Mendis (Kusal, Jeevan) this time.
 
I think he should open. He can take advantage of the PP overs. Once set , he can take spinners apart.
 
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