NEW DELHI:
Angelo Mathews’ outfit enter the 2017
ICC Champions Trophy unheralded, having won just 13 of 38 ODIs in the last two years. During this period, they lost bilateral series to Pakistan, New Zealand, England, Australia and
South Africa
while drawing one with Bangladesh.
The fact that Sri Lanka recalled Lasith Malinga, who last played an ODI in November 2015, underlines their precarious nature. The 33-year-old pace bowler with a history of injuries has played five T20Is this year, and will be expected to lead an attack comprising Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Thisara Perera.
The batting, as with most Sri Lankan sides since the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene after the 2015 World Cup, is a mixture of blockers and bashers. Kusal Mendis, 22, is a cracker of a batsman and how he fares against the hard ball in England could set the tone for Sri Lanka’s progress. Down the order, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna will be relied on for quick finishes. Sri Lanka will also rely heavily on Mathews and Upul Tharanga, the two most experienced batsmen.
SQUAD: Angelo Mathews (capt), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara
Likely starting XI: 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal
Matches: June 3 v South Africa, London; June 8 v India, London; June 12 v Sri Lanka, Cardiff
Past record: 1998 - semi-finalists; 2000 - quarter-finalists; 2002 - joint winners with India; 2004 - semi-finalists; 2006 - league stage; 2009 - league stage; 2013 - semi-finalists.
Most runs: Mahela Jayawardene (742)
Most wickets: Muttiah Muralitharan (24)
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