Eyeing another plum
Sri Lanka’s picks for the World T20 tournament in Australia next month have all it takes to clinch the title, insists Chief Selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe, whose committee backed a young, inexperienced team in the last 18 months despite heavy criticism.
The squad was announced on Friday. It largely mirrored the team that clinched the Asia Cup last week. The only change is the return of injured seamers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, who are both capable of consistently hitting the 140kmph mark to strengthen the seam bowling attack.
The ones to miss out on both the main squad and reserve group are Matheesha Pathirana and Asitha Fernando who both made their debut at the Asia Cup and Nuwan Thushara.
“They can make a real difference this time,” said Wickremasinghe, optimistically, about the team’s chances at next month’s WorldT20 tournament in Australia.
The eighth edition which will be played from October 12 to November 13 will see eight teams across two groups (Namibia, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and Ireland, Scotland, West Indies, Zimbabwe) battle it out in the first round for four spots to the Super 12 round that consists of Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and South Africa spread across two groups.
“We were not a title contender at the last World Cup but this team has come of age and has what it takes to stake a claim to the title. They have the experience, the understanding and also the bond needed to challenge any opposition. They proved it at the Asia Cup. It’s a matter of taking that confidence to the World Cup.”
Apart from Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan, who made their debuts at the Asia Cup, the others have played together for several months in preparation for the 2022 World T20 and the 2023 World Cup.
“Earlier, we were even struggling to chase 130s-140s but now we are consistently chasing 170s-180s. On the other hand, we are also capable of setting formidable totals. These are very good signs for us. There’s definitely hope in this team,” Wickremasinghe said.
Sri Lanka’s batting order is all but settled. But the form of Charith Asalanka and Danushka Gunathilaka at the top of the order is a concern. Both had a poor run at the Asia Cup. Still, the selectors believe they’ve played enough cricket to come out of the rut.
“I am sure they will hit form,” he continued. “Asalanka was not in great form before the 2020 tournament, but he was one of the star performers during last year’s tournament. Besides, we also have Dananjaya de Silva in the side—a utility player who can take Sri Lanka out of trouble, be it with the ball or bat.”
The squad will head to Kandy for a week-long training in Pallekele starting September 25, before heading to Australia on October 6, 10 days before the start of the qualifying tournament.
“The confidence levels are pretty high at present,” the Chief Selector pointed out.
“We also have a very good understanding about the opposition teams as most of them played at the last world work. It’s a matter of getting used to the conditions in Australia.”
In Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka have found consistency at the top of the order while power hitters in Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne have provided the fire-power at the middle and lower middle order. Hasaranaga and Maheesh Theekshana have formed a deadly spin attack while Chameera, Kumara, Karunaratne and Dilshan will form the seam attack.
Wickremasinghe said both Chameera and Kumara are ready to travel but their fitness levels will be closely monitored in the run-up to the tournament.
“Both of them are recovering and, according to physios, they will be ready by 21 of this month,” he explained.
Binura Fernando, who played at the last World Cup, will be a standby this time as he is yet to recover from a hamstring injury. The chief selector also heaped praised on skipper Dasun Shanaka for excellent leadership.
“He has been able to bring everyone together”, he added.
Missing out are Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando—both featured at the last edition as they are recovering from shoulder and knee surgeries. According to Wickremasinghe, both will only be available in January for selection.
Sri Lanka Cricket this week said that Mahela Jayawardena will travel with the national team as a consultant to work alongside Head Coach Chris Silverwood during the tournament. Sri Lanka though had featured in three out of seven finals played so far, won it once when they beat India in a low-scoring thriller in the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh.
T20 World Cup squad: Dasun Shanaka (Capt), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera (Subject to fitness), Lahiru Kumara (Subject to fitness), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan
Standbys: Ashen Bandara, Praveen Jayawickrema, Dinesh Chandimal, Binura Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando