ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Other Key Players in the Sri Lanka Team for CWC

Sri Lanka has always qualified for the knockouts in every edition of ICC Cricket World Cup since 2003. However, after much controversies and a spate of injuries, the Sri Lankan team is not as strong as it used to be. However, the Lankan Lions have always managed to spring a surprise or two in the multi-nation tournament, especially when their opponents least expect it. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 All Teams Squad: Full Players List of Nations Participating in CWC 19.

Sri Lanka will begin their quest for ICC World Cup 2019 on June 1, playing their tournament opener against New Zealand. Before that, the team is scheduled to play two warm-up games on May 24 and May 27 against South Africa and Australia respectively.

Will the team be able to earn success in the 2019 ICC World Cup is too early to tell; however, as the tournament comes closer, we at LatestLY bring a list of 5 key players to watch out for in this edition of ICC 2019 WC. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in PDF: Ticket Prices, Dates, Venue Details & Timetable Available for Download Online.

Lasith Malinga

The most experienced player in the Sri Lankan squad, Lasith Malinga will have a lot many roles to play in the ICC Cricket World Cup. Malinga is not the force that he used to be a few years back, but the Lankan veteran has still got in him to give his all, one last time. If Sri Lanka is even scantily hoping to make it to the semi-finals, the ‘Slinga-Malinga’ will have to resurface and carry his side across the borderline.

Angelo Mathews

The second-most experienced player in the Sri Lanka team, Angelo Matthews will have to be the vital cog of the Lankan team in the multi-nation tournament. With an inexperienced batting line-up around him in this WC edition, Matthews will be looking to provide some solidarity in the otherwise brittle middle-order of the island nation. The former captain, however, is returning from an injury. Much of SL’ chances in the World Cup will depend on how Mathews plays the all-rounder’s role.

Kusal Perera

Kusal Perera has been likened to play with the style of Sri Lankan legend, Sanath Jayasuria. The strokeplay, the range of shots and the power hitting style that he possesses will be crucial for Sri Lanka when they play on flat decks, or rather batting-friendly conditions. However, the dashing left-hand wicketkeeper batsman’s form has been marred with a lot of injuries lately. Nonetheless, Perera will be looking upto the two warm-up games before the tournament begins to regain his form and confidence.

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis might be out of form currently, but given how his technique is and the manner the young wicket-keeper batsman plays in, is an asset for any team. All eyes in the island nation will be on this young promising right-hand batsman, as to how he performs on the game’s grandest level. Sri Lanka will be banking on his aggressive strokeplay to provide them with the much-needed impetus in the batting department. After struggling for form lately, Mendis will himself be eyeing to grab the limelight, all for the right reasons, by performing in the WC 2019.

Thisara Perera

Thisara Perera will have to bring his A+ game in the World Cup 2019, if Sri Lanka has to have any hopes of making it to the knockout stage. His vast experience and ability to deliver in crunch situations is well-known – not to forget the potential to hit towering sixes at his will. The experienced all-rounder in the line-up Perera will have to shine with both and ball to keep his side afloat in the tournament.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2019 12:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).