In a significant development, former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene will accompany the national cricket team as a Consultant Coach for their upcoming Cricket World Cup qualifying matches in Zimbabwe. Jayawardene, who also works on a coach and player development program, will provide valuable insights and guidance to the team in their quest for a World Cup spot.
25 members to travel
A total squad of 25 members, including support staff, will form the setup for the crucial ICC event. While the exact number of players boarding the flight is yet to be confirmed, it is highly likely that the majority of those selected for the recent ODI series against Afghanistan will be retained. However, there remains a possibility of Angelo Mathews facing exclusion if the squad is limited to 15 players.
In addition to Jayawardene, chief selector Pramodya Wickramsinghe will accompany the national team as the on-tour selector, ensuring effective decision-making and player management throughout the tournament. Notably, the team’s regular nutritionist (Dr. Hashan Amasrthunga) and psychologist (Dr. Fedinan Perera) will not be part of the limited support staff sent for the event. This is because of the ICC protocols, which only permit 25 members to accompany the team.
“Both the nutritionist (Dr. Hashan Amasrthunga) and psychologist (Dr. Fedinan Perera) worked successfully with the team. We have to send a limited support staff for the Zimbabwe trip. But, yes, if our team qualifies for the World Cup, we will certainly try to send them,” Prof. Arjuna de Silva was quoted as saying by the ‘Daily Mirror’.
Sri Lanka in Group B
Sri Lanka finds itself in Group B alongside Ireland, Oman, Scotland, and the UAE. With their first match scheduled against the UAE team on Monday, 19th June, the Sri Lankan squad will aim to make a strong start in their pursuit of qualification. The tournament features five teams in Group A: Nepal, Netherlands, USA, West Indies, and host nation Zimbabwe.
The Sri Lankan cricket fraternity eagerly awaits the team’s performance under the expert guidance of Mahela Jayawardene and the strategic leadership of chief selector Pramodya Wickramsinghe. The World Cup qualifiers present a golden opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase their skills, secure a coveted World Cup berth, and bring glory to their nation.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
