SLC sacks selectors; Sanga in new Committee

8 March 2016 12:11 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s team for the T20 World Cup was shrouded in uncertainty just a day before it was to leave for India after the committee of selectors was unexpectedly disbanded for not complying with SLC’s selection policy on Monday night and new members appointed.

The new committee comprising Aravinda de Silva, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Ranjith Madurusinghe and Lalith Kaluperuma were sitting till late night to finalize the 15-man squad after skipper Lasith Malinga resigned as captain citing his knee injury. De Silva was named as the Chairman of the committee in a press release issued last night, which included former captain Kumar Sangakkara.

“The appointment of the National Selection Committee was carried out by the Minister citing recent failures encountered by the National Team in their Tours to New Zealand, India, Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the inconsistency in the selection criteria,” the statement said.

Last month Sri Lanka Cricket announced identical teams led by Lasith Malinga for both the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 despite the 32-year-old not having fully recovered from a recurring knee-injury sustained during the home series against West Indies last year. Malinga played only the opening game of the Asia Cup and was forced to sit out the entire series which Sri Lanka lost embarrassingly.

He missed Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in December and January, and was later ruled out of the T20s in India, in February.

The MRI scans of his injured knee have shown substantial damage. The physiotherapist has recommended ten days of rest, meaning that the 32-year-old paceman will not be available for any of the practice matches ahead of Sri Lanka’s opening clash on March 17.

However, Malinga has offered to play if selected to the team. Sources said Malinga would now be replaced by Angelo Mathews as skipper but the former was likely to be retained in the squad as Sri Lanka looked to defend their title won two years ago in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the new cricket selectors were discussing bringing in left-handed bat Lahiru Thirimanne and spinning all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna in place of wicket-keeper bat Niroshan Dickwella and Jeffrey Vandersay. (Champika Fernando)

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Comments - 12

len Tuesday, 08 March 2016 07:02 AM

Same old same old.Nothing will change just rearranging the seats in the merry-go-round. No deferent to the hyped changed of the government with New President.

Chandler Tuesday, 08 March 2016 07:27 AM

Sri Lankans never learn, do they?

sobers Tuesday, 08 March 2016 07:36 AM

This a total Management problem! poor planning, forecast and incapable professionals etc......, The end result is what you harvested.

angelo Tuesday, 08 March 2016 07:41 AM

vandarsay performed well in new zeland and srilanka ,he seems to be a new gun for srilanka give him a chance and see . he has variation

kaboos Tuesday, 08 March 2016 08:42 AM

I have faith in the new selection committee look for powerhitters visit northern province perhaps best players may be in the last line of the class room.

Satha Tuesday, 08 March 2016 11:12 AM

We wish our new selecting team will,bring glorious again to our team. Good thoughts can bring success.

Prasa Tuesday, 08 March 2016 12:13 PM

I thing shehan j is worst selection to world cup he not in form at all I dont y selector refuse muneweera best open batsman also vithanege. I thinh sehan need domestic games improve himaelf

Anil Tuesday, 08 March 2016 01:31 PM

Good thinking of bringing Thirimanna back to the squad. Should have done during Asia Cup.

Leo Tuesday, 08 March 2016 02:15 PM

Put a junior school team for this tournament at least losing with such a team would be excusable. via DM Android App

Nihal Amarasekera Tuesday, 08 March 2016 03:34 PM

On current form we will win, any bets?

Rimzee Friday, 11 March 2016 02:29 AM

Good decision. We need our team to bring the cup again!

salim jay Saturday, 12 March 2016 09:18 AM

At least the new selection committee is much better than the previous committee. We should not have experimented with the team selection just before a major tournament. The best possible side with the best possible experience should have been considered in the team selection. Dropping of Lahiru Thirimanne was a disaster. he would have failed in a few matches but he is too good a player to fail all the time. Most importantly with Malinga injured what has happened to Dammika Prasad. Is he also injured?

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SLC sacks selectors; Sanga in new Committee

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