Shocking selections for World T20

20 July 2012 10:21 am - 117 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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An unknown schoolboy off spinner called Akila Dhananjaya who failed to make it into the Sri Lanka Under 19 for the forthcoming Under 19 World Cup or the Sri Lanka A Team has stunningly been called up for the Sri Lanka’s 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC World T20 to be held in Sri Lanka in two-months’ time.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) held a Single wicket tournament recently with the specific aim of picking Sri Lanka’s best hard hitters ahead of the World T20 tournament but amazingly the national selectors have not picked promising young talent Dilshan Munaweera, who won the tournament and emerged the best player of the whole country in no uncertain terms.

Dilshan Munaweera

Selectors have also turned back to the proven failures Chamara Kapugedara and Jehan Mubarak both of whom had been given plenty of chances but failed to make a mark at international level. Mubarak last played international cricket three years ago.

Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad for World T20

Mahela jayawardana (Capt), T.M Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Anjelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulaseara, Thisara Perera, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Chamara Kapugedara, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana, Rangana Herath, Jeevan Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv, Dhammika Prasad, Kusal Janith, Jehan Mubarak, Farveez Maharoof, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Kosala Kulasekara, Prassanna Jayawardane, Nuwan Pradeep, Akila Dhananjaya

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Comments - 117

Gane Friday, 20 July 2012 10:39 AM

No Surprises! The team should be named as De Mel's All Time Cricket team" - Not as Sri Lanka Team

saman Friday, 20 July 2012 10:40 AM

If I remember correctly, Kumar Sangakkara didn't play school cricket either. I think he played few first class matches before being select to play for SL.

Noooooo Friday, 20 July 2012 10:53 AM

why? oh why?? ohh why???
any justification at all????

huna Friday, 20 July 2012 11:01 AM

although the stats says other wise ,i think Mubarak is a correct choice for the T20's .

indeewara Friday, 20 July 2012 11:11 AM

No surprise,Expect such things in future until De mel & his ilk run our cricket

tom Friday, 20 July 2012 11:16 AM

tell me one thing other than commisons taken that is proper managed-now big man will call for a meeting and all sorted

D.P.Liyanage Friday, 20 July 2012 11:17 AM

It is true that young blood should be trained but not in a World Cup.

Porak Friday, 20 July 2012 11:19 AM

Kandamby?? Prasanna J??? For T20 World Cup.

Suny J fm Mellbourne Friday, 20 July 2012 11:14 AM

hey mate he played school cricket

Max Friday, 20 July 2012 11:26 AM

saman - sanga did play school cricket and scored over 1000 runs for the season too. get your facts straight before commenting.

aoituae Friday, 20 July 2012 11:27 AM

Dear Saman,
Sanga did play for TRINITY and captained the team.
Please don not voice opinion on subjects you do not know.

Don Friday, 20 July 2012 11:27 AM

Sanga played for trinity in 96/97

DTest Friday, 20 July 2012 11:30 AM

Are you crazy? he was the captain of his school cricket team

Hubart Friday, 20 July 2012 11:24 AM

I am so sad this is happening to our SLCB, they need to put the young guns in who has performed well.

Saman Friday, 20 July 2012 11:30 AM

Oh Saman, Sanga Played for Trinity.. facts misplaced by u..

D.munaweera Friday, 20 July 2012 11:38 AM

Winning the tournament or emerging as the best Player is
of no use.its the winning the heart of the people concerned is what matters most.

sspeedster Friday, 20 July 2012 11:53 AM

FYI : Sanga did play at school, in fact he captained Trinity first XI in 1997 if I remember correctly. He was a Cricket Lion.

He was never parachuted to this level, his consisant performances after being given a place at SL A Team,EARNED him a National call up which he grabbed by both hands by scoring a series of 50+ scores batting at no 5-6

Kapugedara who is also from Kandy never performed to his potential at the world level. So is Mubarak who is not even worth talking about.

So mate, if you dunno your history, take a history lesson....

Athi Friday, 20 July 2012 11:51 AM

Unqualified people occupying positions is the norm, not an exception, in the paradise Island. Look at the Cabinet, Central Bank, UGC, a.s.o! The list is toooo long!!

aiyoo Friday, 20 July 2012 12:04 PM

even Upul tharanga is not performed in the form of T20. always failed.Still keeping in the team

Kandy Friday, 20 July 2012 12:04 PM

Kumar Sangakkara was the captain of Sri Lanka under 19 team due to his performance at school level and was the captain of the trinity college team and was awarded Trinity Lion (a recognition given to the top class performers).

shace-UK Friday, 20 July 2012 11:59 AM

Sanga played for Trinity 1st XI at the age of 15 and one of the few players to represent the schools 1st XI for 4 years and he was the 1996 Cricket captain of Trinity....Sanga played for school long enough before playing first class matches....

dd Friday, 20 July 2012 12:09 PM

Kapugedara and Mubarak in the squad isnt suprising as this is the 30 man squad..Kapugedara is good enough even to make it to the 16 man squad for his fielding and ability to his 6s.How ever Akila Dhananjaya is the only suprise for people who knows cricket (not for Mahinda bashers in Daily mirror who may not even know how to hold a cricket bat )...But then again who knows he could be a mystery spinner too

dinesh Friday, 20 July 2012 12:10 PM

Another Hedging transaction........

Mendis Friday, 20 July 2012 12:13 PM

Looks like another blunder just like the oil hedging blunder.

Azaam Friday, 20 July 2012 12:13 PM

you are wrong. I have been admiring his batting since under 15 cricket at Trinity College. He was very late to be picked for the national team.

Prageeth Friday, 20 July 2012 12:22 PM

No, you are not correct. Check in Wikipedia. It says as follows
"He represented his school's under-13 cricket XI under coach Upananda Jayasundera.[13] Berty Wijesinghe coached Sangakkara for under-15, under-17, under-19 and first XI sqads.[15] He was awarded The Trinity Lion, the most prestigious prize awarded for a Trinity sportsman, for his exceptional batting and wicket-keeping skills in the 1996 season, at the age of 19.[16] Sangakkara was selected to represent Sri Lanka A cricket team at a tour to South Africa in 1998–99. His knock of unbeaten 156 against Zimbabwe A team at a one-day match,[17] helped him secure a place at the Sri Lankan national cricket team later that year"

Jagath Leanage Friday, 20 July 2012 01:06 PM

Never stun if anybody heard Namal selected to the team.

fairo Friday, 20 July 2012 01:16 PM

alibaba with 40 thiefs deaseas entered slcb too?

Dadoriya Friday, 20 July 2012 01:18 PM

A typical Sri Lankan commenting.

Cobra Friday, 20 July 2012 01:31 PM

Dictatorship appears to rub off on everybody close to the govt. these days!

mnsmart Friday, 20 July 2012 01:34 PM

this guy is off his head, kumar played cricket since he was in grade 4 and captained the Trinity team

mnsmart Friday, 20 July 2012 01:48 PM

is it match fixing by the selectors?

S de Silva Friday, 20 July 2012 02:14 PM

Hey Saman,

Check your facts before writing. Sangakkara was the captain of the Trinity College cricket team.

Fazli Friday, 20 July 2012 02:08 PM

Give him a GO and see how he fairs and decide what to do with the rest of the series !

romesh Friday, 20 July 2012 02:06 PM

saman
Which crasy world are u from sanga played fr Trinity. Wake up do not make fool of yr self.

ufo Friday, 20 July 2012 02:09 PM

he played for Trinity collage kandy

dp Friday, 20 July 2012 02:22 PM

Saman.....look around before u bray..

muckgona Friday, 20 July 2012 03:20 PM

what about bada Thilina Kandamby, how come he has been selected.

lk Friday, 20 July 2012 03:21 PM

MU-BARAK!

surendran Friday, 20 July 2012 03:38 PM

Dear Saman,

You have miss read somewhere Kumar played at the school level and he represented Trinity College, kandy.

Karu Friday, 20 July 2012 04:09 PM

Instead of this, better select 6 years old " little Sanga " at least he will not disappoint us

maju Friday, 20 July 2012 04:09 PM

y do they constantly pick kapu???

sujeewa p Friday, 20 July 2012 05:17 PM

Work of a hedging captain.

RajasH Friday, 20 July 2012 05:59 PM

this is the first batch of 30 man squad. No guarantee he will be in the final 15. No harm in nurturing young talent, if he indeed has talent.....Unless of course he is a relative of one of the selectors
Other test playing countries also do the same. The average age of the Bangladesh cricket team is less than 25.

SILLYMAN Friday, 20 July 2012 05:58 PM

People here they forgot to comments about this reall issues but they all were diverted through sanga issues

Roy Friday, 20 July 2012 05:58 PM

Sangakkara is a product from one of the best schools in the world.

rajiv Friday, 20 July 2012 07:13 PM

Saman has changed the topic to Sanga, Getting back to the main topic The Selectors have been moving Chamara virtually from top to bottom. This has changed is batting capability. When he started he played very well in Australia.

Kumar sangakkara Friday, 20 July 2012 07:10 PM

Guys.. whether I captained or not inmaterial to this subject.
I am serving for my country. What's up guys?....... We have to leave room for young boold.

NSenadeera Friday, 20 July 2012 07:32 PM

he does not deserve to be MU-BARAK but "MU-HARAK.

Kapila Kumara Kahapo Friday, 20 July 2012 07:36 PM

That was Jehan Mubarak you foooooool !!!

Dushan Dias Friday, 20 July 2012 08:41 PM

I think he is Akila Dhananjaya Rajapaksha
HaHaHa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somapala Friday, 20 July 2012 09:06 PM

Hello Saman
Know the facts before writing

saheer Friday, 20 July 2012 09:20 PM

It seems to be early Eid Mubarak to Jehan Mubarak

Isfar Friday, 20 July 2012 09:35 PM

T20 no need career need only hard hitters ok so please give chance to play also who can hit the very hard , main problams in sri lanka team all formats cricket are playing same players it not get chance to impro new face

Samantha Friday, 20 July 2012 09:57 PM

Anyone know what's the connection Akila Dhananjaya has to the Rajapaksas?

aswin Friday, 20 July 2012 10:14 PM

This guy may be having some political connection

Mary Friday, 20 July 2012 10:52 PM

Poor Saman has made rich dividents by his ignorance [or stupidity] see the replies he got against his untimely comment. B4 commenting go to cricinfo site player page to get some insite into what you are going to comment on mate.
Mary

Kumara Ekanayake Friday, 20 July 2012 11:28 PM

Mubarak is a proven failure. Not worth even giving a chance.However he seems to be mixing with right people. Otherwise no fool will even consider this useless fellow.
By the way we are used to this shocking selections.

RR Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:01 AM

Why not give our old Sanna a chance?

Ashok Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:13 AM

lol @ lk. good one

shanthapriya Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:14 AM

playing for trinity is not something to be proud of

Ceylonese Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:23 AM

I think Saman is a little kid. He knows only T20 and doesn't know anything about Cricket. (T20 is not Cricket). Yes, Sanga did not play T20 for his School.

Saman is correct.

jayani Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:18 AM

why didn't pick Chaminda Vass for T20 Sqard??????????

len Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:08 AM

No you don't remember correctly period!

Shehan Jayawardene Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:25 AM

What about Sanath Jayasuriya? He should have been in the squad at least for his dancing abilities? ;)

warra85 Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:33 AM

Well this is no shocking news if you have money to pay the selectors even a person who has not carried a bat or ball will be added to the team. what a shame.

samuel Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:27 AM

Ass with all appointments in Sri Lanka its the political and other connections that matters not merely the talent!

Asitha Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:01 AM

why question about kapu? how come thirimanne selected
he is also a total failure.

Mims Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:52 AM

Is he related or connected to some politico? We know how things things work. Mahela should have protested this, if he thought this was the wrong pick.

Ashphoenix Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:14 AM

Pal, you can be in accurate but not so in accurate.Sanga won the coverted tck lion too.-

Nodrog Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:45 AM

Its not what you can do that matters but who you know and are close to

nicky karunarathna Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:49 AM

I can say one thing about these contibutors. None of these fellows even have touch a four piece leather cricket ball let alone go near or holding catch. All these guys are armchair critics. These guys are good for nothing. Only way they can be show their presense is - if sombody doing something throw spoke in the wheel with utter jealousy, animosity, greed, ill will, hatred and with bad blood!

sithara Saturday, 21 July 2012 03:05 AM

this is fake squad not the original squad ...!!!!!!!

Samarasekara Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:58 AM

LOL. How many Trinitians have responded to the TROLL Saman. He must be laughing.

Kota Uda Saturday, 21 July 2012 03:39 AM

Where is N. Rajapakse?

P.J Roy Saturday, 21 July 2012 03:51 AM

Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 7 14 1 258 68 19.84 753 34.26 0 1 19 0 3 0
ODIs 23 17 1 460 69 28.75 608 75.65 0 3 29 2 10 0
T20Is 2 2 0 48 30 24.00 44 109.09 0 0 7 0 2 0

Basil Illangakoke Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:17 AM

Sanga was a star player at Trinity. He not only captained, but was one of the best school boy cricketers Trinity Produced and he has gone on to become the best Sri Lankan cricketer ever. Don't talk rubbish of him. He is a pure bred gentleman and would not be a sucker - ever

Conrad Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:14 AM

4

Conrad Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:29 AM

Dear Saman,

Sanga is the only player in the world to score a century in his home ground in International & school level

Salmans Butt Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:26 AM

If Mahela protested he will get the sack.

Chaminda Arse Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:28 AM

Somebody toldl me he is Arjunas relation.

Perali Murali Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:30 AM

Roy, you are talking plain SH -T, man.

gayan cabral Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:42 AM

you dont need to have brains to do politics.. and you need not be a cricketer to play cricket in SL.. all you need in some high influence.

Christopher Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:50 AM

How come the man who put the country in to it's biggest financial difficulty is in charge of selections at SLC? He is a rogue trader and must be tried in courts.

kam@shelo Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:46 AM

Dude he is the college captain & played in every age group...don't comment without knowing the exact matter.I think it's should be Thilan samaraweera

sena Saturday, 21 July 2012 05:27 AM

Who is he - a rehabilitated LTTE?

Amila.G Saturday, 21 July 2012 05:56 AM

okkoma karlar thawath kanawa.

RajasH Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:24 AM

Kumar will be ashamed of the English posted in his name

Ashan De Silva Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:11 AM

Hee Guys!! Pls stop commenting on Saman. I think he dont no cricket much. 4gt him. pls comment on the tesm selection.. thankx..

Gehan Silva Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:37 AM

Namal's Brother in law ????

Salmon Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:38 AM

Saman,
Your memory is awful. Go get some medication.
Kumar Sangakkara played schools cricket from Under 13 and played for Trinity 1st X1 for 4 years captaining the last year, scoring 991 runs and got selected to the SL U19 world cup team as well. Go get some treatment. Few 1st class matches and got selected????U must be a real nut Saman!

figtree Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:43 AM

dd must be Kapu's Dad

figtree Saturday, 21 July 2012 06:53 AM

Rajiv is Kapu's Uncle

Chaminda Saturday, 21 July 2012 07:53 AM

@ Asitha,

Did u watch T 20 match played at Hambathota few weeks before? whi SL won. Thirimanne scored quick fire 30 runs in 25 balls to stre SL to a decent total together with Thisara Perera. On what basis u are saying Thirimanne is a failure. Please go to cricinfo player profile and check Kapugedara's average and stirck rate and check thirimanne's average and strike rate, then u can realise who is better player to play in final 11 of players
.

RajasH Saturday, 21 July 2012 07:59 AM

we lost the world cup finals due to the same selection process

emadh Saturday, 21 July 2012 08:02 AM

sangakkara played school cricket before plying club matches

Kalana Saturday, 21 July 2012 07:56 AM

I believe Thirimaanna is a good player. He should be in the Team, but since he is not All rounder, the opportunity is less.

Kalana Saturday, 21 July 2012 08:05 AM

We are really dissapointed what they did for Vaasi. He is our one of greatest player. But I think he has no chance to come to the arena again.

AllSrilankans Saturday, 21 July 2012 08:51 AM

And "Sanath" is doing the post tournament "DANCE"

dayan Saturday, 21 July 2012 09:07 AM

No comments regarding the main topic. Why should you waste time on Saman de Fool ?

Rajan Saturday, 21 July 2012 09:22 AM

You guys want Namal Rajapaksa in the team instead?

Nodrog Saturday, 21 July 2012 12:50 PM

No doubt about that. Only doubt is about his false accent.

robin Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:24 PM

saman has miss read somthink some where i dont blame him after all he is human any body can make mistake but the cooments agains him is not good

sanaboy Saturday, 21 July 2012 01:11 PM

Feel sorry for Sri lankan cricket lovers. Uneducation is the main reason these for this problems.

Parakrama Saturday, 21 July 2012 02:04 PM

hi mate what did you had before you made this ignorent comment? Vodka? Bacardi ? Bombay? nooooooooooooooo cant be . It must be be our traditional kassippu shot. Otherwise there is no way a Sri Lankan could make such an ignorent comment.

Ass Saturday, 21 July 2012 03:10 PM

Samantha you are a useless chap making silly comments.

akila dhananjaya Saturday, 21 July 2012 03:38 PM

Mama gahala pennannang. Ogollo anaweki kiyanne nethuwa balang inna.

cricketlover Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:11 PM

Akila Dananjaya is an upcomming allrounder who can ball offspin.he can bat well.little boy from mahanama cllege panadura with lot of promise.

SAB Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:23 PM

Saman.... Saman.... Saman ..... nagitinda saman .... nagitinda

GSk Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:33 PM

must be this guy is friend of the Princes Namal !!

Alpenrock Saturday, 21 July 2012 04:26 PM

kapugedara somehow sneaked in though he has not made any runs or taken wickets or any catches.

Kumar sangakkara Saturday, 21 July 2012 05:51 PM

Mervin Sillva is the best option until next worl cup

Sudara Sunday, 22 July 2012 04:10 AM

De Mel's favorites...where is chamara silva?

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Shocking selections for World T20

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