This is the hardest squad prediction I’ve done so far.
Sri Lanka have changed captains faster than we change our Prime Ministers. They haven’t won a bilateral ODI series since May 2016 and their board is just as bad as Arsenal’s. But here’s my Sri Lanka squad.
Batsmen
Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne (captain) and Angelo Mathews
Sadeera Samarawickrama has shown glimpses of what he can do in his irregular chances in international cricket and Sri Lankan fans have advocated for his selection based on his domestic form.
Kusal Mendis averages 28 in ODI cricket after 60 games, but there’s literally no-one better than him to replace him and he plays the odd decent innings here and there.
Dimuth Karunaratne is set to replace Lasith Malinga as captain for the World Cup, but following a drink-driving incident and him being fined $7500, there may be a chance for Upul Tharanga to come in.
Angelo Mathews is the only certainty as he carries their batting line-up – provided his hamstrings don’t bust when he’s walking from the team bus into the stadium.
Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne (AAP Image/David Gray)
All-rounders
Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Dhananjaya De Silva and Asela Gunaratne
Thisara Perera has really improved under Chandika Hathurusingha. His potential is finally being utilised, especially with the bat. His 140 against New Zealand in January showed that he can shepherd the tail and be just as destructive in pressure situations.
Isuru Udana has recently shown he can be as with the bat as he can with the ball. Stop putting him down at No. 9 and get him up to No. 7, Sri Lanka.
Dhananjaya De Silva is better utilised as an all-rounder rather than a top-order batsman, and his off spin is handy. Asela Gunaratne’s off cutters alongside his finishing ability are the best compared to the likes of Dasun Shanaka and Milinda Siriwardana.
Keepers
Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Perera
Dickwella and Perera are destructive enough with the bat and can both be in the playing XI with one of them taking the gloves.
Quicks
Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Kumara and Suranga Lakmal
Malinga has been pretty good since his return into the international arena. He’s still got it in him, and his ability to take wickets at any stage of the game is crucial.
Lahiru Kumara is Sri Lanka’s fastest quick and, provided he’s fit, will cause problems for the opposition. I’ve chosen Lakmal based on English conditions and his bowling suiting them. Should the Lankan selectors adopt an all-out pace attack, Shehan Madushanka could get a go.
Spinners
Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan
Akila Dananjaya has been one of the rare shining stars in a very dark time for Sri Lankan ODI cricket. He can bowl with the new ball and the old ball and his variations will be effective in England.
Lakshan Sandakan has struggled recently, but the lack of effective spinners and opposition teams rarely having to face left-arm wrist spinner bowlers gives Sandakan the edge over leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
Neel
Roar Guru
Sri Lanka has gone down in ODIs. They have been all over the place and I would be surprised to see them qualify for the semis. They used to be a threat around World Cup time and in the last 4 editions they have always been competitive, this time around though it doesn’t look good at all. I might be wrong but at this point in time it doesn’t look good for Sri Lanka. Hopefully, they can put on a good show at the World Cup.
Cheers
Roar Rookie
I know that writing Sri Lanka off in any format is a foolish move, but they really don’t appear to have a strong One Day lineup at the moment. Hope they prove me wrong and look forward to seeing the next group of young talent make their move over the next few years!
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
I had first seen Gunaratne play in 2017 vs Australia and he had shown so much promise. Why he never got a consistent run we have no idea to be honest. Gunathilaka is 50/50. On his day bloody dangerous but too inconsistent. Could say the same for most of the squad tbh. Senanayake won't be in contention otherwise he'd start a mankad storm :D. As a Bangladesh fan I'm lowkey a bit happy to see Hathu fail after the way he left us karma lol. But I honestly do feel bad for Sri Lankan cricket and the lows it has gone through since Sanga and co retired. But there is a bright future in test cricket. Limited overs? That's a completely different task
Gurlivleen Grewal
Roar Pro
Gunratne showed good promise like 2 years or so ago and now he doesn't get a consistent run. Was injured and now I read it again? The selectors have been really shabby. Case in the point is also that Chandimal should not be near any cricket squad playing outside the subcontinent, let alone shorter formats. Dhananjay Silva, Tharanga have been given opportunities on a platter and I am surprised the former hasn't lived up to the hype. At least his bowling is keeping him in. They should move on from Tharanga -he hasn't shown any promise on his comeback. Gunathalika should pip Tharanga. Guna was serviceable before the ban. Not consistent, but the potential to provide a quick start and a bide-your-time 40. I am not sure about the next opener - Dickwalla is just poor, Kusal Perera should bat in the middle, he is vulnerable at the top. Have to go with Dilmuth? Or can punt with Samarawickrama. Oshada Fernando also looks good - as good as Srl has now. If somehow Chandimal is picked over him, it would be real shame. Players like Siriwarda, Dhananjay, Gunaratne should have been given more of a consistent run. They showed potential against quality opposition. It doesn't seem like there is such a dearth of talent that Srl can't win an ODI like forever. Captiancy - We, of course, have no clue about the team dynamics but the games of nearly all player barring Thisara have gone downhill. Mathews seems to be the only candidate for captaincy but we can't expect one sensible decision from SLC. I think they can make Malinga the captain and he can work with Mathews to get something out of this team. Coming to bowlers - the team is perhaps the bottom 3 going into WC. Any idea why Senanayake is no longer an option? He has been cleared off his ban long back. I would try to sneak in Gunathalika, Oshada and perhaps show faith in Gunaratne. Pick one off Samaarwickrama and Dilmuth. And for heaven's sake, wouldn't pick Tharanga, Chandimal. Perhaps drop Dickwella from the squad and have only Perrera as the preferred keeper but he might prefer to just bat and at the moment his batting warrants him the choice. So Oshada can come in for Dickwella. For the sake of cricket, I just hope Hathurusingha, Malinga and Mathews get the best out of this lot. The SLC bosses though aren't going to make it any easier. I though peg Srl to fight with Bang for the bottom.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
I haven't seen much of Fernando before the SA series thus my reason for not selecting him. Obviously you seem to have better analysis of the Sri Lankan team being a Sri Lankan fan yourself. I'm unsure about Chameera he's good on his day but too many off days in my opinion
Pinidu Chandrasekera
Roar Rookie
Interesting take. There are a couple of selections I'd change though. Firstly, Asela Gunaratne suffered an injury in the Bangladesh Premier League and due to his unavailability in the upcoming domestic provincial tournament, he has been ruled out of contention along with Dasun Shanaka. Dimuth Karunaratne hasn't played a ODI since 2015; add on his recent drunk driving charges and his selection is unlikely at best, let alone to be named captain. Matthews and Chandimal are back in the selection fray, with the former an almost certain inclusion since his recovery from a hamstring complaint. Can't see Sadeera getting a spot, he just hasn't been able to prove himself in any of the chances he has received so far at international level. Danushka Gunathilaka has recovered from his injury concerns and is almost a certain inclusion given the troubles at the top of the order. As you rightly point out, Sandakan has struggled recently and with De Silva in the squad as a batting all-rounder who can bowl handy spin - I can see him losing his spot for the pace of Dushmantha Chameera given the English conditions. Changes I would make to your predicted squad: OUT: Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dimuth Karunaratne, Asela Gunaratne, Lakshan Sandakan IN: Danushka Gunathilaka, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal/Upul Tharanga, Dushmantha Chameera I can definitely see the selectors opting for experience at the World Cup, particularly when taking the recent batting struggles into consideration. Tharanga and Chandimal are old heads who've been involved in multiple world cup campaigns and won't be overawed by the occasion - one of the duo will get the nod subject to form at the upcoming provincial tournament. Oshada Fernando was very impressive in both Test and ODI format during the recent tour of South Africa, being one SL's most consistent batsmen in what turned out to be a disastrous tour for the shorter formats.