Sasm
Rather than doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We should try something new in the practice matches; Tray Mathews or Shanaka early. Preferably Mathews to get a run a ball and settle in for the last 6 overs.
Pathum, Kusal, Kamindu, Mathews, Asalanka, Shanaka, Hasaranga, Wella, Chameera, Theekshana, Madushanka/Pathirana.
Wella has to play for the SA match, given how much impact the WI left arm spinner has had. No point in playing an extra pacey with them.
With Theekshana and Hasaranga in the side there is no place for another spinner I think.
It’s too early for Kamindu to bat in the top order with only 10 matches behind him and batted at no 3 in only 3 matches previously (during BD tour this year). We are spoiling the furure of Kamindu. Let him first come down the order (he has batted at no 4,5 & 6 positions) So ideal position for him is no 4 (as no 5 and 6 positions are pretty occupied). As an experiment we can try Wanindu at no 3. So my line up is (1) Kusal (2) Pathum (3) Wanindu (4) Kamindu (5) Angelo (6) Asalanka (7) Dasun (8) Wella / Theekshana (9) Chameera (10) Pathirana (11) Madushanka
Above team will have (1), 3 specialist pacers, (2) 2 specialist spinners (3) Adequate power hitting at the top & middle order. (4) One genuine and three batting .bowling alrounders..To keep the best balance Wella and Theekshana should play for one position (i.e no 7)
Just to add something to my above comment. No 3 position may be not ok for Wanindu as he may struggle against the early swing in case of loosing one of the openers very early. SL must bring in Bhanuka into the squad. Bhanuka is having lot of past experience batting in the top order and he is able to handle the early swing as well. SL can create some opportunity to play Bhanuka (that needs the ICC approval) in the squad. Upul Tharanga should now realise that his explanation given earlier that there are plenty of power hitters in the squad is wrong. If we are lucky only two/three of our batters may succeed as power hitters (Wanindu, Dasunma & Charith). That’s totally in adequate if we are to have target team totals of 200 runs min. See how the Windies power hitters are performing these days ,they can target minimum scores of 220 runs with at least 4/6 of the power hitters they have are in full form (they can do that in their own tracks).