For 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup:
Lanka will rely on experience
Chris DHAMBARAGE
Chairman of National Selectors Aravinda de Silva stated that his
committee will weigh more on experience when naming the final squad of
15 players for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The national selectors on Monday named a 30 member preliminary squad
in preparation for the World Cup and it will be pruned down to 15 by the
first week of January next year in keeping with the ICC regulations.
Strong combination
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be worked off from February 19 to
April 2 and will be co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Aravinda de Silva a member of the 1996 World Cup winning team said that
all players in the preliminary 30 member squad have justified themselves
to be in this position as they look to form a powerful combination of
youth and experience.
Specialist batsman
He said that veteran Sanath Jayasuriya will be considered as a
specialist batsman and experienced left arm seamer Chaminda Vaas as an
opening bowler. However their selection for the final 15 member squad
will depend on how well they could balance the team.
De Silva regretted the fact that they missed out a great opportunity
of seeing some of the players in action who were earmarked for the
probable final squad following the postponement of the five match one
day international series against the West Indies.
As a result they were forced to consider the past performances and
the international experience of some of the players before naming them
in the preliminary 30 member squad.
De Silva stressed the importance of the players having some exposure
at international level ahead of the World Cup and said that Sri Lanka
Cricket are exploring the possibilities of playing at least a couple of
matches against Bangladesh.
Training sessions
He noted that with no competitive cricket at the moment the players
have organized a series of training sessions both at day and night at
all World Cup venues namely Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa
International Stadium.
No passengers
De Silva further noted that there will be no passengers in the final
15 member squad and each player will need to play a specific role given
the occasion.
He recalled an example how Upul Chandana even as 12th man played a
decisive role on the field during the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal match
against England.
Chairman national selectors also believed that the final 15 member
squad should include a variety of players who are capable of turning
around the game during different match situations.
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