Yes cleaning should begin from the originator to the problem, our “Spineless Chief Selector” as all SL Cricket Enthusiasts and fans don’t have any trust on you. If you have a backbone you will not pick a team according to the captain’s choice. You totally ignored your duty and the responsibility as a selector. But please dont forget to take your buddy the “Brainless (moda) Captain” when you leave the system.

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).

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)

I would have picked Lahiru Kumara instead of Asitha. Former has more experience in T20I matches and has an excellent avg SR of 15,1. Only Hasaranga, Pathirana and Thushara have better SRs than Lahiru. If he can maintain a good, yoker length, with his 145 kph deliveries he will be a threat to any batter, Asitha on the other hand has played in only 3 T20I matches and that too with worse reslts on Ave, Econ & SR. He is basically a test cricketer. If Lahiru was in the squad we would have had much variety in bowling speeds as well, Pathirana 150 kph, Lahiru 145 kph, Chameera 142 kph, Madhushanka 138 kph and Thushara 135 kph. Only problem with Lahiru is sometimes he is not able to control his length and bowling short which definitely goes for a six. But with the coaching/guidance of Aqib Javad, Lahiru’s that problem would have been sorted out for sure.

It’s a great decision to keep the maximum age limit to 70 yrs. The best joke is that some affected seniors are getting ready to challenge this decision at courts using SLC funds. Every effect should be made to stop this nonsense. Let them do that with their personal money.

I hope that similar legislation will be implemented soon & the same rule (of 70+ age limit) will be applied to current Old Politicians who are not capable of doing their job properly but only ruining the country.

If you look at the performance & results of the matches played so far India, SA (from group 2) NZ, Eng &Aus (from group 1) are the teams which are good enough to play in the knockout stages. SL are still playing at a below par level on many areas due to the failure of their power hitters (both Banuka & Dasun), inconsistency in top, middle order batting, fast /spin bowling and fielding. If these areas are improved in the next two games, we can think about the Semis. Otherwise, we dont deserve to be playing in the semis.

Due to the very inconsistent way SL is performing currently they don’t deserve to be among the 4 teams for the knockout matches. Four major reasons for our poor show are.

(1) Inconsistency of the batters (both top order and middle order)
(2) Inconsistency or the fast bowlers as well as spinners
(3) Poor ground fielding/catching.

All the above weak areas were clearly exposed during the last match played against NZ few days back

Lot of credit is given to SL on how they cover the whole ground when a match is interrupted by rain

https://www.espncricinfo.com/video/what-makes-the-sl-spinners-a-threat-even-in-australia-1341178

Great performance by our top order batters. But our middle order batters form is a big concern. Our two power hitters (Banuka & Dasun) must improve their shot selection to suit to the big grounds in Australia. In simple words they must avoid hitting sixes in front of the wicket covering the areas from cover point to mid wicket (atleast in the next few matches untill they find form). Unless you can hit a 90 meter six you are always at the risk of giving a catch to the deep fielders in that area. Asalanka is also making the same mistake even yesterday he was dropped giving a simple catch. Kusal is executing the sixes perfectly (most of the sixes he scored were in mid wkt / scuare leg areas.

Banuka has not scored a single six in the three matches he batted. We can beat Ausies tomorrow if our middle order batters improve their batting and maintain the same momentum shown by our bowlers in todays match. Good luck SL in the next match,