Sri Lanka announce squad for ICC World Cup 2015, Lasith Malinga included

Angelo Mathews

Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup after getting approval from the country’s Hon. Minister of Sports. Having already named Angelo Mathews as the captain a month ago, Lahiru Thirimanne has now been nominated as the vice-captain.

The Lankan squad for the world’s biggest cricket event is the same as the one that will play the ODI series in New Zealand later this month, with the only exception of Shaminda Eranga, who has been left out of the World Cup squad. Experienced fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been included in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad in place of Eranga provided he is fit before the tournament begins.

Sachithra Senanayake also finds himself in the squad after the ICC cleared him of a suspect bowling action. The 29-year-old was reported for a suspect action by umpires during an ODI series against England in May. ICC had cleared him along with Kiwi off-spinner Kane Williamson last month, stating that both had made sufficient improvements to their action.

The selectors have dropped mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis considering the conditions down under won’t suit him and are banking on the all-round capabilities of Jeevan Mendis. The Islanders reached the finals of the 2007 and 2011 editions of the tournament, but failed in the final hurdle.

This is the last World Cup for the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Sri Lankan fans would be banking on their experience to bring home the World Cup crown.

Sri Lanka are part of Pool A along with New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They play their opening game against New Zealand, on February 14 at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Squad

Angelo Mathews (Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake