The Sri Lankan cricket team may have lost its past glory but remain a very unpredictable team as we move closer to the start of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. The 1996 champions reached the final in 2007 and 2011 before their golden generation started exiting the big stage. A period of transition is tough for any team and Sri Lanka has been no different. But what we can say about the Lankan lions is that they still look short of what could is their preferred first team squad. They can be summarised as work in progress with an energetic yet inexperienced squad. It is important for them to make early inroads in the campaigns else it could be a tough stay in England. Let us look at the Sri Lankan squad for the 2019 World Cup. Schedule of Team Sri Lanka at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: List of SL Team’s Matches, Time Table, Date, Venue and Squad Details.
Dimuth Karunaratne: He may not be a household name when it comes to international cricket but Dimuth Karunaratne packs a punch with his cool head and composed batting. An interesting choice to lead the squad ahead of Lasith Malinga and Angelo Matthews, Karunaratne has a lot of thinking to do in England.
Avishka Fernando: A poor run in South Africa almost cost him a place in the squad but given the talent he had, Avishka Fernando survived the axe. He will need to get good starts for Sri Lanka to avoid undue pressure on the middle order.
Lahiru Thirimanne: The payer billed to be the successor for Kumar Sangakkara in the national team has had a tough ride so far. Lahiru Thirimanne has the potential to be a top player but needs to be more consistent.
Kusal Perera: The Sri Lankan fans have their hopes pinned on Kusal Perera given his love for aggressive batting. Many compare him with the great Sanath Jayasuriya which tells us about the potential in him.
Kusal Mendis: Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Mendis has played some fine innings in a relatively short span in ODI cricket. The 22 year old is excellent behind the stumps and looks set for a long haul in Sri Lankan cricket. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Other Key Players in the Sri Lanka Team for CWC.
Angelo Mathews: The Sri Lankan all-rounder has a wealth of experience under his belt and will be a key figure for his country in the World Cup. In addition to his cricket, he has to guide the youngsters well.
Dhananjaya de Silva: Sri Lanka’s lead spinner in England, he is an equally brilliant batsman. He has been a consistent performer for the Island nation in both tests and ODIs.
Jefferey Vandersay: Battling off-field issues and injuries, Jefferey Vandersay has finally got a chance to play the most important tournament of his life. He is the backup spinner of the team who may not get massive opportunities.
Thisara Perera: He has been around for ages and is quite a destructive batsman coming lower down the order. He will have to improve on his bowling though as his team needs him to bowl well in middle phases.
Isuru Udana: Left-arm pacer Isuru Udana is known for his exploits in T20 cricket and has this massive opportunity to make a mark in the fifty-over game. He has done excellently in domestic T20 competitions this season.
Lasith Malinga: We all saw the powers of Lasith Malinga as he helped Mumbai Indian win the IPL. Even after so many years, he still remains one of the best bowlers in international cricket which is a huge positive for him.
Suranga Lakmal: Suranga Lakmal led Sri Lanka’s pace attack when Lasith Malinga was absent from the squad and he will enjoy bowling in English conditions. Ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Here’s a Look Back at How Sri Lanka Fared at the Last Edition of the CWC.
Nuwan Pradeep: Nuwan Pradeep is known for his variation, be it the slower balls or the deadly yorkers. His contribution in the middle overs will have a huge bearing on how Sri Lanka performs in the Cup run.
Milinda Siriwardana: He has been in and out of the national team since making his debut against Pakistan in 2015. He is likely a squad player who may have to sit out large chunks of the tournament.
Jeevan Mendis: Hard-hitting batsman Jeevan Mendis is good with the bowl at his hands too but competition for places may deny him games in England. At 36 years of age, this could well be his final tournament in Sri Lankan colours.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2019 08:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).