Balanced team picked -Aravinda

Chris DHAMBARAGE

National Selection Committee Chairman Aravinda de Silva revealed that tactical reasons were considered in selecting the Sri Lanka squad for the up coming Asia Cup tournament in Dambulla.

The former Sri Lanka captain stated that the team was picked with the 2011 World Cup in mind and hope to have a serious conversation with the players who were left out from the squad.

De Silva was confident that the best team has been picked for this four nation tournament which begins on June 15 and hope that they will deliver the goods with a classy performance.

Sri Lanka who are the defending champions will take on Pakistan in the curtain raiser match of the Asia Cup tournament which also features India and Bangladesh.

The four teams will play each other twice on a league basis and the two top teams will clash in the final scheduled for June 24. All games will be worked off at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium as day/night fixtures.

De Silva stressed the importance of balancing the team and as a result left arm spinner Rangana Herath was selected with the aim of adding more variation into the bowling attack.

De Silva further noted that Herath could play a key role in this competition with the Dambulla wicket expected to take a great amount of spin during the latter stages of the tournament.

The other reason for his selection is the fact that he could be very affective against a team like Pakistan which has many right handers in their batting line up.

De Silva also said that they are looking at the possibilities of promoting Thilina Kandamby as a middle order batsman cum leg spinner together with Jeevan Mendis who had a successful series in Zimbabwe.

National Selection Committee Chairman Aravinda de Silva stated that players in the calibre of Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera were sent to Australia with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team for the purpose of gaining more exposure before they could test their skills at the highest level.

De Silva also noted that as Angelo Mathews is making vast strides as a batting all rounder Farveez Maharoof was selected for his capabilities as a bowling all rounder and with the intention of balancing the team in a proper manner.