Sri Lankan selection panel underwent a transformation yesterday with new selectors in the form of former Sri Lankan stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva. These two iconic batsmen will be joined by Romesh Kaluwitharana, the former wicketkeeper, Lalith Kaluperuma and Ranjith Madurasinghe, the former offspinners to complete a new look 5-member selection committee.
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The new bureau replaces the former headed by Kapila Wijegunawardene, the ex-pacer, and which included Amal Silva and Brendon Kuruppu, both bygone wicketkeepers, and Hemantha Wickramaratne, a former batsman.
The sudden decision to terminate the old panel was taken with regard to Sri Lankan cricket team’s poor performance in the last few tournaments, with just a week to go for Sri Lanka’s title defence of the World T20 in India.
Altogether Sri Lanka have not relished much accomplishment in the past few months. Prior to their disastrous campaign in the Asia Cup where they could only win against minnows UAE, they had lost the T20I series against India 2-1. In December-January, the team also lost the Test, ODI and Twenty-20 International series against New Zealand away from home.
“The appointment of the National Selection Committee was carried out by the Honorable Minister citing recent failures encountered by the National Team in their Tours to New Zealand, India, Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the inconsistency of selection criteria,” said the SLC release.
De Silva, already served as Sri Lankan chief selector in 2010 is known for his aggressive batting and getting out to rash shots which earned him the nickname of ‘Mad Max’. His most memorable moment came in 1996 World Cup where he scored an unbeaten century and took 3 wickets in the final to give Sri Lanka its maiden World Cup title.
Sangakkara hung up his boots last year in August has been pursuing his trade in numerous T20 leagues across the globe. He was the craftsperson in Sri Lanka’s other World Cup win in 2014, where he was the player of the match in the final against India scoring an unbeaten 52. He is widely regarded as the best batsman to play for Sri Lanka after finishing his career with more than 12000 runs in both Tests and ODIs.
Kaluwitharana famous for his blazing hitting in the first 15 overs of limited overs cricket, played 49 tests and 189 ODIs. Kaluperuma represented Sri Lanka in two Tests and four ODIs while Madurasinghe represented Sri Lanka in three Tests and 12 ODIs.
Sri Lanka will kick off their World T20 campaign against a qualifier from group B in their opening fixture on March 17 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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