Sri Lanka’s dalliance with Angelo Mathews in ODIs seems to have been short-lived after the veteran was ignored from the 15-man squad set to fly out to Zimbabwe for the World Cup Qualifier later this month.Mathews had been recalled to the ODI facet forward of Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand earlier this yr following an absence of two years. The choice had given the 36-year-old hopes of a World Cup swansong. Nonetheless, following a string of subpar showings – since his return, he has made scores of 18, 0 and 12 – he was dropped from the enjoying XI forward of the second ODI towards Afghanistan final week.Sadeera Samarawickrama, Mathews’ substitute for that match, made a brisk 44, which noticed him retain his place within the third ODI that adopted, although he wasn’t required to bat. Thus, Mathews, who has 221 ODIs underneath his belt, now appears unlikely so as to add to that quantity.His recall forward of the Afghanistan sequence, together with that of Dimuth Karunaratne, was seen as a shift from the selectors to focus extra on expertise throughout a World Cup yr. However Karunaratne’s retention for the World Cup Qualifier is proof that he stays of their minds, although the 35-year-old definitely appears to have earned his alternative, racking up back-to-back fifties on his return to the ODI facet as Sri Lanka secured a come-from-behind sequence win towards Afghanistan.
The remainder of the squad, although, has few surprises. The batting unit principally picks itself, with captain Dasun Shanaka main the likes of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Samarawickrama.
Chamika Karunaratne, Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga fill the allrounders’ slots, whereas Hasaranga additionally leads a spin division that additionally consists of Maheesh Theekshana and legspinner Dushan Hemantha.
Hemantha earned his maiden cap within the first ODI towards Afghanistan, stepping in for the injured Hasaranga. Nonetheless, upon Hasaranga’s return to the XI, he did not characteristic for the remainder of the sequence. His inclusion appears to be based mostly totally on his capacity to behave as cowl for Hasaranga, although he has impressed domestically within the latest previous.
The place Sri Lanka’s trump playing cards lie, although, is of their energetic – although fragile – seam…
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