The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board on Tuesday, September 26, announced the final 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 and it had two big names Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera missing from it.
Wanindu Hasaranga had suffered a thigh strain during last month's playoffs of the Lankan Premier League. He ended the tournament as the top run-scorer with 279 runs and the leading wicket-taker with 19 wickets.
But the injury led to him missing the Asia Cup 2023 and will now miss the World Cup as well with a grade three hamstring tear.
“Wanindu Hasaranga has not been included in the 15-member squad as the player is still in the process of recovering from an injury. His recovery will be monitored, and if he is declared fit to play, he will be considered as a replacement in the event of an injury to a squad member during the tournament,” the SLC said in a media note.
Dasun Shanaka will captain the side with Kusal Mendis as his deputy. Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the batters included in the side.
Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dushan Hemantha and Dunith Wellalage are the all-rounders in the Sri Lanka squad. Maheesh Theekshana will lead the spin attack with Hemantha and Wellalage.
The pacer department has Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, and Dilshan Madushanka with Kasun Rajitha as well. Chamika Karunaratne has been named as a traveling reserve.
Sri Lanka will play two warm-up games ahead of the World Cup against Bangladesh on 29 September and Afghanistan on 2 October. They will play their tournament opener on 7 October against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne
