Mathews replaces Pathirana in Sri Lanka World Cup squad

24 October 2023 03:21 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

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All-rounder Angelo Mathews has replaced injured seamer Matheesha Pathirana in the 15-man World Cup squad, with the International Cricket Council's Event Technical Committee approving the change.

The decision was reached this morning and Mathews was preferred over seamer Dushamantha Chameera. This is to strengthen the fragile middle-order batting.

Mathews and Chameera linked up with the team last Friday, ahead of Sri Lanka's fourth league game against Netherlands in Lucknow.

Sri Lanka are presently in the 9th position on the points table, having lost their first three games against South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.

Sri Lanka Captain Dasun Shanaka has already been ruled out of the tournament with a quadriceps tear and was replaced by Chamika Karunaratne.

Mathews has not played an ODI since the first game of the home series against Afghanistan in June. He was never in the selectors' radar but injuries and a crumbling middle-order saw him being included.

(Champika Fernando in Bengaluru)

Comments - 5

No hope Tuesday, 24 October 2023 03:58 PM

I don't expect much of an improvement with the inclusion of Mathew because it's not individual players that have failed but the team, not just the playing 11, as a whole has failed. Failed, yes from potential winning positions lost matches repeatedly. Even in Asia Cup only through shear luck SL reached the final. The Pak and Afg matches were very close for comfort. But SL chose to ignore this fact. Pray they don't get thrashed by Ind and NZ and even Eng in matches to come.

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This is reality Tuesday, 24 October 2023 04:05 PM

If Dasun is out of the tournament, why is he being kept there? Send him home and give a chance to a younger prospect. The same procedure was followed with in Danushka's case (his being kept back in Australia I mean).

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Shocking Tuesday, 24 October 2023 04:18 PM

Why does SLC not explain the reason of continued presence of Dasun there wasting money. Russel Arnold who is in the ICC injured committee said no player after existing the squad can return after recovery.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 24 October 2023 07:34 PM

Matthew is a good replacement, our bowling is not upto standard, schools should forward names of spin bowlers, similar to Muralitharan or speed bowlers like Chaminda Vaas to induct new school boy cricketers. Nothing is impossible.

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Roxton Shockman Wednesday, 25 October 2023 09:33 AM

Why replacing Pathirana? Why not Dasun Shanaka who brought our team to shame. He should be chased away, and Mathews should replace him.

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