Squad of 30 picked for WC Qualifiers and Afghan series
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Kusal Janith Perera is expected to make a comeback to the ODI side
Batters Kusal Janith Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrema, and seamer Dushmantha Chameera have been named in Sri Lanka’s 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe as well for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan next month.
The 1996 world champions have been relegated to play the 10-team qualifier next month in Zimbabwe to clinch one of the two remaining spots at cricket’s greatest showpiece in India this year. The World Cup qualifiers will begin on June 18 in Zimbabwe where the finalists will join the eight automatic qualifiers in the main draw.
The squad also sees the inclusion of leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha and slinger Matheesha Pathirana, who are likely to make their international debuts during the Afghanistan series starting June 2 in Hambantota.
Perera, who returned to competitive cricket after his shoulder surgery, only played the T20 leg during the recent New Zealand series and now expects to resume his ODI career.
Samarawickrema last participated in an ODI in 2019 and comes into the mix following some impressive performances during the recent National Super League. But whether he can make into the 15-man squad remains to be seen.
Chameera has not played international cricket since the T20 World Cup in Australia last year. He was named in the white-ball team to New Zealand but was pulled out as he required more time to recover from the ankle surgery he underwent during the World Cup. Selection sources confirmed that both Perera and Chameera are fit to resume international cricket.
Pathirana, just 20, is yet to play ODI cricket for Sri Lanka. Though he was named for the series in New Zealand, he was benched after contracting Covid-19. However, his performance during the current season of the IPL has impressed many. He is likely to find a place in the final squad which the selectors are expected to decide by late next week.
Dushan Hemantha is the newest kid on the block. He was part of the Test squad that beat Ireland 2-0 in April but failed to earn his Test cap. With Wanindu Hasaranga struggling to live up to expectations, Hemantha comes in as an option. Hasaranga has not taken a single wicket during his last five ODIs for Sri Lanka, a reason to press the panic button. His returns in away matches are also atrocious–only eight wickets in 18 games at 93.35.
Angelo Mathews who returned to white-ball cricket after two years during the New Zealand series, has retained his place even though he managed just 18 runs in the three-match series. Mathews has played more matches than anyone else in the current squad and is the only one who averages above 40 in ODI cricket.
Apart from Chameera and Pathirana, the squad includes three other seamers in Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara. Still, who gets into the final 15 remains to be seen. Chamika Karunaratne is part of the longer squad but it’s not yet certain whether he can find himself a place as Sri Lanka cannot afford to have two seaming all-rounders in the side. Captain Dasun Shanaka is the other all-rounder in the team.
Two former captains, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne, have been left out of the preliminary squad. Karunaratne, the current Test skipper, led the side four years ago during the World Cup in England but lost his place and the captaincy after current selectors took over. The team will start training on Monday.
| Squad for World Cup Qualifiers and Afghanistan Series: | |
| Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis (wk and Vice Captain), Angelo Mathews, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Dananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema (wk), Ashen Bandara, Avishka Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Milan Ratnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Lakshan Sandakan, Ramesh Mendis, Parveen Jayawickrema.
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