Mathews axe from WC qualifiers

Former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews has been excluded from the World Cup squad as national selectors announced a 15-man squad for qualifiers to be played in Zimbabwe later this month. Sri Lanka is among 10 nations vying for the last two remaining slots at this year’s 10-team Cricket World Cup to be played in India. Mathews was part of the 16-man squad that played the home series against Afghanistan as selectors wanted the experienced batter in the mix.

However, he failed to impress, hitting only 12 runs in his only game in the series before selectors decided to call up  Sadeera Samarawickrema in place of Mathews. Mathews in his return to ODI cricket after a two-year lapse hit 18 and 0 during the New Zealand series early this year. Speedstar Matheesha Pathirana, though played just one game in the concluded Afghan series has retained his place along with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha.

Sri Lanka Probable 15-member squad

Dasun Shanaka (captain)
Kusal Mendis (vice captain)
Pathum Nissanka
Dimuth Karunaratne
Charith Asalanka
Dhananjaya de Silva
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Wanindu Hasaranga
Maheesh Theekshana
Dushan Hemantha
Chamika Karunaratne
Dushmantha Chameera
Lahiru Kumara
Kasun Rajitha
Matheesha Pathirana