Sri Lanka Thursday dumped established stars including former captain Dinesh Chandimal to hand batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay a place in their World Cup squad.
Christiaan Kotze / AFP
Chandimal, who was one-day captain until last October, wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella, off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Upul Tharanga were all left out of the 15-man squad.
Thirimanne and Vandersay along with all-rounders Milinda Siriwardana and Jeevan Mendis got places despite not playing in the one-day team for more than a year. Left-handed batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who was appointed captain on Wednesday, last played an ODI in March 2015.
Opening batsman Avishka Fernando and paceman Nuwan Pradeep were also named for the 50-over event which starts in England and Wales on May 30. The most surprising of all was that of Siriwardana, but chief selector Ashantha de Mel explained that his place in the team is all down to his versatility.
"To balance the side, the batsman coming in at No. 6 has to be able to bowl. We went with someone who has a bit of experience in that role."
As many expected, most of the players have been selected on the basis of their performance during the week-long Super Four Provincial Tournament, which was played earlier this month. All-rounder Jeevan Mendis was exceptional during the tenure as he picked six wickets in three games and also scored a half-century. Vandersay, on the other hand, has been picked on the back of his T20 performances and he remains the only specialist spinner in the team.
Meanwhile, star bowler Lasith Malinga, who was stripped off from this captaincy duties on April 17, will spearhead Sri Lanka's bowling attack and will probably be playing his fourth and final World Cup.
The 1996 champions kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Cardiff on June 1.
Sri Lanka squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Jeevan Mendis, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakma
Standbys: Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Perera
