We need someone like Malinga to lead the pack says chief selector de Mel
Young Niroshan Dickwella celebrated his new appointment with a half century.
Since Angelo Mathews resigned from his captaincy in June last year, Sri Lanka had a multitude of captains doing the job. But none of them including Mathews who returned as captain on Chandika Hathurusingha’s request in January could change the fortunes of the limited over side. However, the new cricket selectors hope the appointment of Lasith Malinga as ODI skipper could turn things around for the struggling team.
“Malinga is a fighter,” said chief selector Asantha de Mel. “We need someone like him to take the team forward, to lead from the front. As selectors we thought he is the best to take the team to the World Cup.”
Malinga had been dropped from Sri Lanka’s teams for over a year, due to form and fitness concerns. He had made his return to the international cricket during the Asia Cup in September. Though he seemed to have lost his pace, he has had some success with the ball since then.
“On the other hand, he has repeatedly said he would retire after the World Cup. This will give him the added motivation to do better. He would like to finish off with a bang and given his experience and cricketing intelligence, we are confident he would do the best to the team as skipper,” Mel explained.
Malinga’s appointment ended Dinesh Chandimal’s short stint as ODI skipper. Chandimal had only replaced sacked Angelo Mathews in September but de Mel’s committee believes Chandimal is ‘too laid back’ as a leader.
“Beside he’s not sure of his place in the ODI side. This is why we decided to strip him of the captaincy,” he added.
With Malinga expected to retire at the end of the World Cup next year, the selectors are looking at a smooth transition of responsibilities to the next in line and in this case Niroshan Dickwella who was named vice-captain in the side.
“He has captained Sri Lanka’s U-19 and we would like to see him succeed Malinga after the World Cup. This is why we brought him as vice-captain. Beside we believe this added responsibility will help him improve his own game and contribute towards team’s success.
Meanwhile Angelo Mathews, who had been axed from the limited-overs squads due to fitness and run-out issues, is back in the squad but there was no place for veteran opener Upul Tharanga.
“We are very closely watching him. He is one of best players in limited over cricket but unfortunately he has had few bad series in the recent past. But definitely he is in our plans,” he said.
Back in the side is 33-year-old leg spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, who last played an ODI in October 2017, and 32-year-old batsman Asela Gunaratne who last played in January. Prasanna’s inclusion was largely due to his ability to turn and bounce the ball than his recent performance.
“After Akila Dananjaya was suspended for an illegal bowling action, we were looking at Jaffrey Vandersay but unfortunately he got injured. So we needed someone who can turn the ball. Dilruwan Perera was an option but he is more of a Test bowler, so we decided to include Prasanna, given his experience in these conditions,” he asserts. Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara make up the pace-bowling contingent. Suranga Lakmal has no place in the seam ODI line-up.
Sri Lanka play three ODIs and a T20I in New Zealand. The first of those matches is scheduled to be played on January 3, at Mount Maunganui.
ODI and T20I squad: Lasith Malinga (capt.), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara.