Wanindu is not captain material either

I would have loved for KJP and Bhanuka to be included but neither of them have made a very solid case to be picked. It is what it is now, I don’t see Sadheera playing in the 11 anyway if Shanka and Mathews play. There is no place for another batsman if we play 3 seamers or the extra spinning allrounder. Best thing to do is send Mathews at 5, so he can get settle in to play finisher. I would even push Shanka ahead of Charith, to get some singles. Charith can mange if we loose wickets too quickly. Bowling options are pretty good,

Vimukti is making a stong case to be the extra spinner.

Like the team, bold and it’s a spinning wicket we should play this lineup. Is a Chameera out from WC? If we do end up playing 2 paceys, it should be between Chameera, Madushanka and Pathirana. A heavy right hand batting line up, I would play Madushanka ahead of Pathirana. I would still take Dimuth as an extra batsman too.

Kasun Rajitha is hot and cold. I would never pick him over Chameera. Also not drop Dana. Was really hoping Wellalage performed, so he can be the 3rd spinner but he has not, so don’t think he will get a call up. Theekshana is bowling decently. If he doesn’t get at least 2 wickets a game as a frontline bowler. Ramesh Mendis is who I would tap. Also hope KJP recovers so he can take Sadheera’s position.
Pathum
Dimuth
Mendis
KJP/Sadheera
Asalanka
Dana
Shanaka
Hasaranga
Ramesh
Chameera
Lahiru/Madushanka/Chammika

Too many untested players at the international level. I do wonder why we don’t open ODIs with Mendis. If he open I would play KJP one down. Sounds like he is injured again.

Dasun is definitely not performing consistently enough but changing the captain now is too risky. Captain should not picked purely based on form. Dana has not performed well enough either. Chandimal and Dimuth have captained and failed. No point in trying the same things and expecting different results. We shouldn’t ignore the Ireland test form but it was not with a top class team. Dasun needs to deliver more consistently. Period or we will not get anywhere in the WC. It can’t be one match winning innings in every 10 games.

Good point, no one has stepped up. Maybe we do play Theekshana in Zimbabwe. The only issue is we will bat only until 8, which is fine. Also Lahiru Kumara has been bowling well recently, seems to have a lot more control. He could be the second pacey a long with Chameera. In India my vote is to play Ramesh Mendis or Welllalage at 8. It is a gamble in terms of bowling though. Hasaranga has to step up or none of this matters.

Really shouldn’t bring tried and failed players back just because of their performance in local tournaments. Maybe he has improved, but shouldn’t take the risk with a critical international qualification tournament.
Theekshana should be in the squad for sure, and his economy is great. But restricting to 45 runs in his 10 overs doesn’t help us a lot to win games. He is just not a strike bowler in ODIs and he can’t bat. We should play to win and not just play to not lose.

No way we should play Rajitha in flat tracks. Chammika is better. Good to have some experience but don’t think we should play both Dimuth and Mathews. Also not sure if Theekshana is the best option for ODIs. Wellalage or Ramesh Mendis are good spin options. Extra pacey should be Binura or Madushanka. Akila lol… we should take him if we don’t want to qualify.