Decision time - how are World Cup squads stacking up?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26421078/decision-how-world-cup-squads-stacking-up
Sri Lanka
(Andrew Fidel Fernando)
Sri Lanka sucks at ODI cricket right now. They've sucked for quite a while. The last time they won a bilateral series was way back in 2016, against Ireland. They have won a couple of tri-series since then, but did not have to defeat any of the higher ranked sides to achieve this. There is possibly no team going into the World Cup in a greater state of disarray. They have lost each of their eight ODIs so far this year.
The Big Question
Apart from their ability to claim early wickets (thanks largely to Lasith Malinga), there is no aspect of Sri Lanka's game that isn't misfiring at present. Their greatest concern, however, is the batting order, which tends to collapse so dramatically, it seems like multiple batsmen are racing each other back to the dressing room. During the recent five-match ODI series against South Africa, Sri Lanka didn't last the full 50 overs once. Also, they don't really know who their World Cup captain is, and the choices seem to be getting worse by the minute.
Injury concern
Kusal Perera is struggling to make the World Cup after sustaining a bad hamstring tear in South Africa. And although Angelo Mathews should technically have recovered from his latest injury, his own hamstrings seem so fragile that a bump from a pothole on the way to the stadium might be enough to cause a strain.
Possible wildcard
Every series a new Sri Lanka ODI player produces good performances in losing causes. Most recently, it is slower-ball specialist Isuru Udana who has announced himself, doing a half-decent job with the ball, but really impressing with the bat - his big blows from the lower middle order earning him a reputation as one of Sri Lanka's cleanest hitters.
Possible squad
Certainties: Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera if fit. (No really. That's about it.)
Probables: Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha.
Possibles: Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Perera, Upul Tharanga, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26421078/decision-how-world-cup-squads-stacking-up
Sri Lanka
(Andrew Fidel Fernando)
Sri Lanka sucks at ODI cricket right now. They've sucked for quite a while. The last time they won a bilateral series was way back in 2016, against Ireland. They have won a couple of tri-series since then, but did not have to defeat any of the higher ranked sides to achieve this. There is possibly no team going into the World Cup in a greater state of disarray. They have lost each of their eight ODIs so far this year.
The Big Question
Apart from their ability to claim early wickets (thanks largely to Lasith Malinga), there is no aspect of Sri Lanka's game that isn't misfiring at present. Their greatest concern, however, is the batting order, which tends to collapse so dramatically, it seems like multiple batsmen are racing each other back to the dressing room. During the recent five-match ODI series against South Africa, Sri Lanka didn't last the full 50 overs once. Also, they don't really know who their World Cup captain is, and the choices seem to be getting worse by the minute.
Injury concern
Kusal Perera is struggling to make the World Cup after sustaining a bad hamstring tear in South Africa. And although Angelo Mathews should technically have recovered from his latest injury, his own hamstrings seem so fragile that a bump from a pothole on the way to the stadium might be enough to cause a strain.
Possible wildcard
Every series a new Sri Lanka ODI player produces good performances in losing causes. Most recently, it is slower-ball specialist Isuru Udana who has announced himself, doing a half-decent job with the ball, but really impressing with the bat - his big blows from the lower middle order earning him a reputation as one of Sri Lanka's cleanest hitters.
Possible squad
Certainties: Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, Thisara Perera, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera if fit. (No really. That's about it.)
Probables: Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha.
Possibles: Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Perera, Upul Tharanga, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan.