Sri Lanka is the only team which has been facing severe injury issues prior to the ICC World Cup 2023 in India. Wanindu Hasraga the top Right-arm Leg Spinner and a decent all-rounder is likely to not be a part of the upcoming ICC mega event from October 15 to November 19. The paceman Dushmantha Chameera is also on that list. Both these injuries will dent Sri Lanka’s cause a great deal.
Sri Lanka has to leave for the World Cup on 27th of this month and the cut off date to announce the final 15-memeber squad from the International Cricket Council is 28 Septemeber. But there is no sign of the team announcement from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. Hopefully they will announce jn a day or two as we are closing the official cut off date.
The provisional squad has been announced already. Due to the unavailability of these key players, no big changes are expected in the provision squad. Theekshana also got injured in the Asia Cup against Pakistan. Though he bowled out his reamaining overs to complete his 10 overs quota. But after the completion he left the field immediately.
Wanindu Hasaranga got injured for the second time during training, and there’s a chance he might not make it to the World Cup squad. He had to undergo an MRI sacn yesterday and if the results are not favorable he might face a surgery. which would rule him out of the tournament, according to a senior medical officer.
Additionally, Dushmantha Chameera hasn’t fully healed from his injury, so it’s probable that fast bowler Lahiru Kumara will be included in the squad instead.
Maheesh Theekshana, the mystery spinner and Dilshan Madushanka the paceman have got green signal from the selectors and their chances to make the ICC World Cup 2023 squad are quite bright eventhough Theeshana got injured just before the World Cup. A good news for the fans though. The reason for Theekshana inclusion might be Hasaranga’s unavailability.
Sri Lankan selector might think about including the 20 years old sensational Leg spinner Dunith Nethmika Wellalage who blew away the Indian strong batting lineup in the Asia Cup 2023. He is a decent batter too and can be considered as a good replacement for Hasaranga. Will the Sri Lankan Cricket Board consider him for the World Cup 2023 squad? A big question!
Sri Lanka Provisional squad for ICC World Cup 2023:
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Pramod Madushan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara
