Silly Point, exactly right. You have beaten me to the punch. I don’t rate Milinda after having seen him in the big stage. He may be good in local competition but he goes missing when it matters the most in international matches. It’s bit left field as far as selection of Nuwan Pradeep. I have reservations about him standing up in a tournament which is going to be more than month long. He is so injury prone and I sincerely hope he gets through unscathed. I can understand why he was selected because selectors going for experience. However I really feel Kasun Rajitha is stiff to miss out.
Anyway it’s done and dusted, lets hope this team will do all us proud. Go Lanka!

Exactly right Asoka, how can you compare UT with a legend called Aravinda de Silva? He is the among the very best Srilanka ever produced.

Dinesh, you have stolen my thunder. Exactly right. Dammika Prasad is the new version of the Kumar Dharmasena AKA Unanduwa. He has his heart on his sleeve. If anyone watched the match against India, he took Ishant Sharma on. Where most of our guys don’t take on the opponents but Dammika did. I am not suggesting he should be selected because of what he did against India. If anyone who has passion and team man – I can’t think of anyone except Dammika. His recent performance dictates that he should be given a chance to play in the tournament rather than benching him. On a different note Selectors have also included Nipun Ransika who is also being benched. We will never know until these players are given a chance to play. It’s late but it’s better late than never.

It’s interesting to see Chamara Silva who is 39 also named in the side. Chamara had a good one day tournament making runs for his side. When people are talking about middle order, Chamara is a perfect fit. Just for this world cup, if he makes runs in the Provincial tournament. If he is fit and firing I don’t see any reason why not to pick him. He is not going to be around longer because of his age but his current form good.

Not really sure why this article is appearing in a site dedicated to Srilankan Cricket? One article is bad enough but looks like there is a pattern developing here. Please don’t take me wrong I love the Pakistan cricket side, who can win in England because of the variety of players they have. I am not sure if any other dedicated Cricket sites would allow someone posting articles about another national team If there is no relevance to the country.
Please don’t take my comments personally. I am just asking the admin of this site that if we allow posts about other national sides we are opening up to a can of worms.

Sanjeewa, great selection. I probably go with that. Not sure our think tank would agree. But it’s a good team on paper. Great work my friend.

I have been on his case for a long time now. Duckwella doesn’t have the basic rudiments to be a player in a national side. He comes across as a showpony trying to impress the audience with bag of tricks but doesn’t understand his role as a player. My humble opinion he doesn’t deserve a spot in the side. Sadeera Samarawickrama should be the automatic choice as a keeper if selectors are not willing to glove Kusal Mendis or Kusal Perera for the world cup.

If the above article is anything to go by it is an interesting move. But it can also bring disaster as Asantha is strong willed and bit of a raging bull who more than likely to lock horns witn anyone and everyone when he doesn’t get what he wants.
Its pleasing to note past players are going to be involved in the preparation as per the article. But anyone mentioned Muralitharan? It will be interesting who are those past players coming to help the motherland in the hour of need.

SinceThe90s, well written, I don’t think anyone can write any better about UT in a nutshell. Sadly as you mentioned I believe his chances of being picked for the world cup is over.

Totally agree with you both Susatha & Anura. You are right he is the senior most player in the side but never took the bull by the horns and cement his place when it was there for taking. I do feel sorry for him because we know how good he is. Well I am talking about the past, not current UT. But I feel that none of the senior players took charge during pointy moments which is so disappointing. Winning or losing the senes
is not the issue but how we played is what makes us all shake our heads in disgust because it’s nothing but a meek surrender..It is so painful to watch in which we played.
When all the spots in our team is under scrutiny except for Kusal Perera and Angelo Mathews who can consider themselves definite starters. While as a Srilankan supporter I am very disappointed that none of seniors showed up when we needed someone to take charge like what we saw Kusal Perera did in the first test. We know it was the turning point.
I am not suggesting that same thing would have happened, but as a senior you expected to show leadership which we never saw in the one dayers.

Sadly unless any political interference or u turn by the selectors I can’t see UT going to be in the world cup squad regardless he makes runs in the provincial tournament.. Which is very disappointing.

We all know Sachithra’s prowess as a batsman and having a safe pair of hands. He was always have been a very good fielder and had that mystery about his bowling. Who can forget his bowling against New Zealand and India during 2014 T20 world cup. His batting against South Africa in 2012 where he hit the winning six on the penultimate ball.
But when he got reported 2014 in England it all changed, he never the same again. It’s quite disappointing to see what has happened to someone whom we all thought going to be a readymade all rounder featuring in the shorter format. He is never going to be a test bowler.

Obviously he is having a very good run with the bat at the minute probably has hit a purple patch. Its all good when he is making runs but his main role as a bowler against a tough opposition will remains to be seen. Which we all be able gauge where he is at during the provincial tournament.
For Srilanka sake I sincerely hope he has discovered his magic because we need him. It’s no use having a run of the mill off spinner who is not going to be effective when he doesn’t have many variations. As we see so many mystery spinners going around in other countries and see what they can bring to the table.