Thirty member cricket pool named for Zimbabwe tour-by Dhammika Ratnaweera

Kusal Mendis who was named ODI Vice captain playing football while at training (pix courtesy SLC)

Sri Lankan ODI cricket team is getting ready for the world Cup qualification tournament which is scheduled to commence on June 18 in Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka already have been relegated to play in the 10 team qualifier tournament where the finalists will join the eight automatic qualifiers in the main draw. South Africa is the latest addition to automatic qualifiers list and they were able to edge out Ireland to qualify for the direct qualification slot.

Sri Lankan also an uphill task to get qualification slot while Ireland, Netherlands, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka (five super league bottom teams), Nepal, Oman, Scotland (League 2 top three teams) and UAE and USA Qualifier play off top two teams) are expected to take part in the qualifying tournament and finalists (top two teams) are eligible to qualify for the ODI World Cup.

The National selection Committee headed by Promodya Wickramasinghe has a big challenge to select best squad for the world qualification tournament and that is their first task. However due to influence selection Committee lost their confidence to make selection.

When Daily News contacted chairman of the Selection Committee Promodya Wickramasinghe said last November Sports Minister wanted to change the selectors and they had a plan to conduct interviews to appoint new selectors but up to date there are no changes and we had to do all selections tour by tour. Actually before the last New Zealand tour there was a talk about selection Committee changes.

However we had a good plan and made good system on a short term and long team basis to build up the team and mainly focus on ODI World Cup and T-20 world Cup.

We knew earlier also Sri Lanka team had up and downs and this is not the first time we have to play World Cup qualifying round and we played T20 world Cup qualification in Oman before the UAE T20 world Cup in 2021.Actually South Africa had a task to get direct qualification and last minute they got that chance. The former World Cup champions West Indies also in the qualification tournament with us and they also tried to play to get direct qualification.

As selectors we have to maintain good confidence and all have to realise this. We never like to be influenced either by sports Ministry or SLC officials for the selections and we wanted to pick the best team said chairman of the Selection Committee.

The selectors already make 30 member squad for the Afghanistan three ODI series which will be played at Hambantota and all three are day matches as focused on Zimbabwe world Cup qualification matches. In Zimbabwe we have to play all day matches with out DRS System and all these are new challenges.

The selection Committee is also happy as during the recent tour ICC officials pointed the value of independent selection policy with out any political influence and most of the cricket experts appreciate the system of fitness test and recent performance for the selection.

In addition Sri Lanka cricket already organised Sri Lanka A match series, Emerging series and National Under 19 series and these type of series helped to select good players for the National squad. National Super League tournament and Lanka Premier League ( LPL) also helped to see players performance and five member Provincial selection Committee give good support to recognise the talented players.

Matheesha Pathirana, just 20 years old, is yet to play ODI cricket for Sri Lanka. Though he was named for the series in New Zealand, he was benched after being tested positive for Covid-19.

However, his performance during the current season of the IPL has impressed many. He is likely to find a place in the final squad for Afghanistan series which the selectors are expected to decide by late next week.

Dushmantha Chameera the ace paceman of the white ball format has not played international cricket since the T20 World Cup in Australia last year. He was named in the white-ball team to New Zealand but pulled out as he required more time to recover from the ankle surgery he underwent during the World Cup. The selection committee confirmed that both Perera and Chameera are fit to resume international cricket.

Meanwhile Kusal Janith Perera who came to the white ball cricket from last New Zealand tour had an injury and his presence is not totally confirmed but he also included for 30 member squad..

Wanindu Hasaranga has not taken a single wicket during his last five ODIs for Sri Lanka, a reason to press the panic button. His returns in away matches are also atrocious–only eight wickets in 18 games at 93.35 but he is also in the 30 member squad while new comer Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Sahan Arachchige, Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan the wrist spinner, the paceman Milan Rathnayake and Nuwan Thushara are in the squad while Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunarathna, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lasith Croospulle and Avishka Fernando also are in the for 30 member squad.

Squad for World Cup Qualifiers and Afghanistan Series:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis (wk and Vice Captain), Angelo Mathews, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Dananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema (wk), Ashen Bandara, Avishka Fernando, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Milan Ratnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Lakshan Sandakan, Ramesh Mendis, Parveen Jayawickrema.