SAJEEWA JAYAKODY
In a recent update from Sri Lanka Cricket, the national team has made changes to its ICC World Cup squad. Dushmantha Chameera, a prominent fast bowler who has recovered from injuries, and Angelo Mathews, a seasoned former captain known for his middle-order batting, have been added as reserve players.
Chameera, a frontline fast bowler for Sri Lanka, had been sidelined due to injuries, as had Angelo Mathews, a skilled all-rounder with experience in the lower middle-order.
Both players will be part of the squad for the upcoming six matches in India, where Sri Lanka must secure victories to advance to the playoff stage.
According to reliable sources, Matheesha Pathirana, initially part of the original 15-man squad, faced an extended recovery period from injury. Consequently, Chameera will replace Pathirana in the main squad, assuring him a spot in the match against the Netherlands on October 21 in Lucknow.
Currently, Sri Lanka is in need of an experienced finisher to handle the closing overs of the innings. Mathews, recognized for his calculated innings, was moved up the batting order due to retirements of senior players and later dropped from the team.
At the age of 36, Angelo Mathews is considered one of the strongest batsmen in the current lineup, with 221 ODIs under his belt, amassing 5,865 runs at an average of 41. He also has three centuries and 40 half-centuries to his name. If Sri Lanka can utilize him in the late middle-order position, it could provide a significant advantage, given his ability to anchor innings and help the team achieve the elusive goal of playing a full 50 overs. Sri Lanka has struggled to complete their allotted overs in the ICC World Cup this year, and Mathews’ inclusion aims to address this issue.
