We have a balanced team to face WC challenge, says Dasun Shanaka

We are looking to give our best as a team during the forthcoming World Cup cricket tournament in India and we have selected the best Sri Lanka team said the Chairman of the National Selection Committee Pramodya Wickramasinghe in an exclusive interview with the Daily News before the team’s departure.

The 15-member team with one standby player was named for the World Cup led by Dasun Shanaka. The team selection for the World Cup is not an easy task but we always consider present performances and their fitness to the ODI format. We had more pressure after the Asia Cup but have discussed with all three selectors and made the best team for the World Cup. Last moment champion leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was left from this squad due to his fitness issue. We all tried to keep Hasaranga for the World Cup as our experienced leg spinner but unfortunately according to the medical reports medical experts have not given the green light to him. However, we hope Hasaranga will be fit in between the World Cup and if any player has to face any injury issue we can get Hasaranga after getting approval from the ICC technical committee.

The former Sri Lankan fast bowler Wickramasinghe said I think we have two young bowlers Dunith Wellalage and Dushan Hemantha to cover Hasaranga’s slot while experienced Maheesh Theekshana the mystery spinner also in recovery period will join the team after two warm up games. These three spinners have a big responsibility in the spin department. The paceman Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, young Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha also joined as fast bowlers while key paceman Dushmantha Chameera was out from the squad due to injury.

The chief selector also pointed out there was no issue with skipper Dasun’s appointment and we never made a U-turn to keep out of his captaincy. He was our successful captain and he had some failures but I am sure he will come back during this World Cup. Before the World Cup, we never tried to change skipper and we wanted to make good commitment and build good confidence on the team. As the selection committee, our duty is to name the best squad for any tour while supporting staff has a big responsibility to use the best players for the team and most of the time when the team suffers defeat, the selection committee, as well as cricket administrators, get the blame and this is very unfair, added Pramodya.

We intend to prepare the team for the future and we have short-term and long-term plans and we never make quick changes in the squad giving them more chances to establish their places. Playing India is more familiar conditions and players have to use their brains with the support of their supporting staff and we have to go match by match at this World Cup, added chief selector.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka said; My team has a good mentality to play World Cup and their preparation is very high. I think our team combination is not different compared to previous times especially playing in India. Playing International cricket is a big challenge specially World Cup is a huge challenge but we have to adjust as a team to face any obstacle added skipper Shanaka.

All matches are very important even from the practice game we have to play with responsibility. We always think we will get good Indian pitches to play these games. As a player as well as skipper I always work hard during my practices and hope to do my best for the team. I am personally very keen to play in India and most of the time they prepare good wicket for the batters. I played last IPL and got experience in India and hope this can give more success to the team, said Skipper Shanaka.

We hope after 3-4 matches Wanindu will join the squad and strengthen our team but presently we have a good side to challenge any opponent. I think India are the favourites in this World Cup in their home condition but any team can make a good challenge to them and we are also in good mind to do so, concluded Dasun Shanaka.