Chief selector Ashantha de Mel who is in Dambulla and Pallekele along with his co-selectors Brendon Kuruppu, Hemantha Wickremaratne and Chaminda Mendis said, “We are getting a good look at all the players but the main players’ performances we cannot be happy, the two openers haven’t done well but the younger boys are performing well.”
“With these performances we’ve got some sort of an idea and are close to selecting the 15, we have to take current form as well. But with the World Cup we can’t be taking many young players, that is why we are having a huge issue,” he said.
Following paragraph is taken from the article.
-As far as one can gather among those who are likely to get the nod are Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Mathews, Chandimal and/or Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva among the batters, Akila Dananjaya and Vandersay as spinners, Thisara Perera and Isuru Udana as fast bowling all-rounders, Malinga, Lakmal and either Chameera, Pradeep or Lahiru Kumara as fast bowlers-
It seems Asantha De Mel’s selection policy is good. Vandersay has to improve but he’s better than Sandakan as we need a wrist spinner in the squad. . All the other players who have been selected so far deserve places in the world cup squad.
Glad to see Dickwella get kicked out of the WC squad. I was hoping for Gunathilaka to perform but he hasnt so he should also not be considered. I think having the openers as Dimuth and Kusal perera is a good idea. Hopefully Kusal is fit. Number 3 and 4 I think should be Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. We shouldnt bring any newcomers to this position like oshada Fernando. Chandimal has a chance of possibly replacing de Silva but Chanfimal hasnt produced any big runs in the tournament whereas de silva at least scored an 80+ score. Mathews at 5 obviously. Number 6 either Thisara or Siriwardana. Selectors might lean towards Thisara because of experience and the fast bowling option. I would have picked Gunaratne but unfortunately he is injured. For bowlers I would like Malinga, Lakmal, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru and akila.
Dimuth Karunaratne
Kusal Perera (wk)
Kusal Mendis
Dhananjaya de Silva
Angelo Mathews (c)
Thisara Perera
Jeevan Mendis
Isuru Udana
Akila Dananjaya
Suranga Lakmal
Lasith Malinga
Bench:
Dinesh Chandimal
Milinda Siriwardana
Jeffrey Vandersay
Dhammika Prasad
Backup:
Nuwan Pradeep
Angelo Perera
Dushmantha Chameera
Kamindu Mendis
1.Dimuth Karunaratne
2.Kusal Perera
3.Kusal Mendis
4.Dinesh Chandimal(wk)
5.Angelo Mathews (c)
6.Dhananjaya de Silva
7.Jeevan Mendis
8.Akila Dananjaya
9.Isuru Udana
10.Suranga Lakmal
11.Lasith Malinga (vc)
Bench:
12.Thisara Perera
13.Milinda Siriwardana
14.Jeffrey Vandersay
15.Nuwan Pradeep
Backup:
16.Dasun Chanaka
17.Shehan Jayasooriya
18.Kasun Rajitha
19.Niroshan Dikwella
20.Lahiru Thirimanne
@Suren1998 : They seem to have already picked Dimuth K, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Mathews, Chandimal , Dananjaya de Silva, Thisara, Isuru Udana , Akila Dananjaya, Vandersay, Malinga & Lakmal. Only 3 slots (one opener, no 3 batsman & a fast bowler) are not decided.
Thisara isn’t reliable enough to bat at No 6. Jeevan Mendis or Dhammika Prasad won’t make it to the squad according to De Mel.
01.Dhanushka gunathilake
02.Upul tharanga ( Dimuth karunarathne)
03.kusal janith
04.Lahiru thirimanne
05.Chandimal (wk)
06.Angelo mathi
07.Thisara perera
08.Jeeven mendis
09.Akila Dananjaya
10.Isuru udana
11.Lasith malinga
Extra
12.kusal mendis
13.Danjaya de Silva
14.suranga Lakmal
15.kasun rajitha
16.Lahiru Kumara.
This team will do the job. Good Luck Sri Lankan National Team :))))
1. Kusal Janith
2. Niroshan Dickwella
3. Dinesh Chandimal (Wk) – captain
4. Kusal Mendis
5. Dhananjaya De SIlva
6. Angelo Mathews – Vice captain
7. Isuru Udana
8. Akila Dhananjaya
9. Suranga Lakmal
10. Lasith Malinga
11. Lahiru Kumara
Bench
1. Upul Tharanga
2. Kamindu Mendis
3. Jeffery Vandersay
4. Thisara Perera