ICC World Cup 2019 | Angelo Mathews returns to Sri Lanka squad as Dinesh Chandimal gets dropped

A day after naming Dimuth Karunaratne as the captain for the 2019 World Cup, Sri Lankan selection panel sprung a lot of surprises in the 15-man preliminary squad for the showpiece tournament that starts on May 30 in England and Wales. Former captain Mathews has made a comeback to the side despite missing most of Sri Lanka's Southern Hemisphere sojourn with a left hamstring strain. 

His form in the recently-concluded Super Provincial One Day tournament - which also acted as a selection trial tournament for the World Cup aspirants - also helped his cause as playing for Dambulla, Mathews scored 227 runs in four innings, including a century and fifty, and eventually booked his place in the flight for England.

With Karunaratne's sudden inclusion in the side and that too as captain, Sri Lanka will have a new opening pair with one of Avishka Fernando or Lahiru Thirimanne partnering the skipper. After making his debut against Australia, Avishka has had modest returns ever since, but his big-hitting prowess and understanding of the game situation made him a solid asset in Sri Lanka’s plans. Thirimanne had enjoyed a prolific time during the 2015 World Cup but had last played an ODI in December 2017, and the experience helped him be in the England-bound squad.

Meanwhile, Kusal Perera, who sustained a hamstring injury during the tour of South Africa, has cleared the fitness test and is expected to take the gloves from Niroshan Dickwella, who hasn’t been picked in the team. Isuru Udana's wonderful returns during the South Africa series helped him earn his maiden World Cup call-up and he will link with Thisara Perera as the two pace-bowling all-rounders.

As far as the pace bowling department is concerned, Lasith Malinga will spearhead the bowling attack which also has the likes of Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep. Springing another surprise, the selectors have opted for leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay ahead of Akila Dananjaya.

Sri Lanka will start their preparations for the mega-event by playing a couple of One-Day Internationals against Scotland, on May 18 and 21 and will follow it up with warm-up fixtures against South Africa and Australia. The one-time champions begin their title challenge against New Zealand at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on June 1.

Squad for the World Cup: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Malinda Siriwardana, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Pradeep

Standbys: Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Perera