Chandimal will miss the first ODI today
Lankans will be sans the services of one of their top order batsmen – Dinesh Chandimal for their first One-day International against the West Indies which is scheduled to begin today at the R. Premadasa International Stadium. Chandimal, who faced a one match-ban along with Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma after admitting to charges of misconduct during the third Test between India and Sri Lanka, will serve his part of the ban during this match.
Spinner Jefferey Vandersay is closely watched by coach Jerome Jayaratne and fast bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake last afternoon - Pic by Amila Gamage
Two other Sri Lanka players, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhammika Prasad, were fined half their match fees for their roles in the two separate incidents during the test, which India won by 117 runs to secure the series win. This void in all probability will be covered by Dhanushka Gunathilaka and he will bat at number 4.
However according officials the biggest drawback had been the inclement weather that has been hampering all their preparations. He said “Facing a shower almost every evening has been causing us a lot of problems. With the rains we clearly cannot make up our minds as to what sort of bowling we would have settle with”.
However it is certain that the authorities would go for a slow surface as the West Indians have a battery of fast bowlers who cross the 145km mark while in operation.Batting at the helm would be veteran T.M. Dilshan along with hard hitting Kusal Janith Perera with Lahiru Thirimanne batting at number three. Thirimanne came out of the slump in form with a timely knock of 41 in 48 balls while facing the Board Presiden’s XI.
Six-foot tall left hander Dhanushka Gunathilaka who opened batting for the Board President’s XI will fill the void created by the suspension of Dinesh Chandimal. The Lankan lower batting order should comprise skipper Mathews, and Shehan Jayasuriya while the all rounders position should go to southpaw Milinda Siriwardena.
Siriwardena besides his batting will be expected play a vital role with his orthodox left arm spin. Sachithra Senanayake would be a certainty in the spin department while it is very likely that experienced Ajantha Mendis would get the nod ahead of Jefferey Vandersay. However they also have the option of veteran T.M. Dilshan as one of the off spinners, thus making that department a lot stronger.
Once again the cricket management would put their faith in the ability of experienced Lasith Malinga while the second seamers will be taken by either Suranga Lakmal or Nuwan Kulasekera. Sri Lanka from: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (Vice captain), T.M. Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Milinda Siriwardena, Shehan Jayasuriya, Sachithra Senanayake, Jefferey Vandersay, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera
West Indies from: Jason Holder, Jermaine Blackwood, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Jason Mohammed, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Jerome Taylor, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels