16 May 2019 12:03 am
Dynamic goal defensive player Chathurangi Jayasuriya from Air Force Sports Club will captain the Sri Lanka Team at the INF World Netball Championships which will be worked off from July 12 to 21 in Liverpool, England.
The 12-member Sri Lanka Netball Squad was approved by the Minister of Sports Harin Fernando yesterday, with veteran Tilaka Jinadasa retained as the Head Coach. Sri Lanka secured their place in the World Cup after they emerged unbeaten champions at the 2018 Asian Championships which were held in Singapore.
In fact, the National Selectors have retained as many as 11 players who performed at the 2018 Asian Championships with Deepika Priyadarshani of Navy SC the only newcomer.
A total of 16 teams will compete in this event with Sri Lanka drawn in Group ‘A’ along with Australia, Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka will begin their campaign with a match against Zimbabwe on July 12 which will be followed by the clash against Northern Ireland on July 13 and the defending champions Australia on July 14. Sri Lanka were placed last out of 16 teams during the previous tournament which was staged in Sydney, Australia in 2015.
The Sri Lanka Netball Squad:
Chathurangi Jayasuriya (Captain - Air Force SC), Gayani Dissanayake (Vice-Captain - HNB), Darshika Abeywickrama (HNB), Tharjini Sivalingam (Seylan Bank), Thilini Wattegedara (Air Force SC), Gayanjali Amarawansa (HNB), Deepika Priyadarshani (Navy SC), Hasitha Mendis (Navy SC), Dulangi Wannithilake (Navy SC), Nauchalee Rajapakse (Army SC), Dulanga Dhananji (Air Force SC), Elilenthini Sethukavalar (CDB) and Tilaka Jinadasa (Coach).
Reserve players: Marisa Fernando (Army SC), Surekha Gamage (Air Force SC) and Gayathri Kaushalya
(Army SC).