COLOMBO – Sri Lanka have decided to stick with their 15-man World Cup squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies starting January 31. The series had been originally scheduled for December of last year, but incessant bad weather – which also hugely affected the preceding Test series – prompted a postponement.
In addition, the venue for the series has been changed. The Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo will play host to all three clashes instead of the Hambantota and the R. Premadasa Stadium, both of which are venues for the upcoming World Cup in February and March and hence – under International Cricket Council rules – are not allowed to be used so close to the sport’s flagship tournament.
A Sri Lanka cricket statement read: “SLC wishes to announce that in view of a directive issued by the ICC to the effect that no games should be played at any of the World Cup venues, SLC is compelled to make the above changes.”
Sri Lanka squad for three-match ODI series: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
