Snubbing KJP; a Hobson’s choice

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka have named their squad for the ICC T-20 World Cup and some big names that featured in T-20 sides in recent outings have been given the cold shoulder. The most notable of them all is former captain Kusal Janith Perera. Perhaps the fiercest striker of the cricket ball in Sri Lankan colours currently, KJP has hardly had an impact in internationals after returning to the side from injury.

Given his seniority, reputation and the impact he can make in T-20 cricket, leaving KJP out of the side would have been a tough call, but the most important criteria in selections is form and KJP didn’t fit the bill. At the age of 33, you just hope that he doesn’t throw in the towel but hangs in there and bounces back strongly.

Avishka Fernando is another notable exclusion from the side. A very exciting talent with lots of time to play his shots, Avishka has the ability to turn a game on its head within a matter of few overs. But he’s been completely out of sort in recent internationals and although there were some sparkling knocks in the World Cup preparation competition, his inadequacies while facing left-arm swing bowling had been exposed in Bangladesh.

Left-arm seamer Binura Fernando was another player to be overlooked after featuring in the T-20 side in recent series. Nuwan Thushara, who impressed with a hat-trick in Sri Lanka’s recent outing has been preferred over Fernando.

Sri Lanka’s fast bowling is in good hands with Dushmantha Chameera returning to the side fully fit. He will spearhead the attack that will include young fast bowling sensation Matheesha Pathirana while left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka returns after injury.

Former captains Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka provide back up in the bowling department while Dhananjaya de Silva provides a spin bowling option.

How Sri Lanka will use DDS remains to be seen. With the top six set and Kamindu Mendis providing a spin bowling option, you wonder whether DDS would fit into the scheme of things.

Dunith Wellalage is the only uncapped player in the squad. Although Wellalage has featured regularly in the 50 over format, he is yet to represent Sri Lanka in the shortest format of the game. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain had a good outing with the ball during the World Cup preparation competition.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are the team’s leading spin bowlers. Hasaranga missed the IPL due to injury and in recent domestic games has played as a specialist batsman. Since assuming duties as captain, more than as a bowler, Hasaranga has had an impact in his new role as a floater coming up the order and giving the team some quick runs.

Theekshana’s ability to bowl in the Power Plays is a big advantage and he will be the player to watch during the competition.

Sri Lanka’s batting revolves around Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kamindu Mendis. Together with them, Angelo Mathews forms the top six.

Sri Lanka will leave for the World Cup on 14th May, two weeks ahead of the competition, to begin their preparations. They are pooled in Group ‘D’ along with South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal. Their first game in the competition is against the Proteas on the 3rd June in New York.

Sri Lanka Squad:

Wanindu Hasaranga (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper), Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka

Travelling reserves:

Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage