Mathews replaces Pathirana in Sri Lanka World Cup squad

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)