By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Newly appointed cricket selectors have recalled ousted paceman Lasith Malinga to limited over cricket and vested him with the captaincy in a squad of 17 players which was approved by the country’s President in the absence of a functional sports minister in Sri Lanka’s government.
Thus, T20 World Cup winning captain Malinga will lead Sri Lanka cricket team for the upcoming tours of New Zealand and Australia and is also expected to continue his leadership until the ICC ODI World Cup in England. Sri Lanka will also tour South Africa before the World Cup in June 2019. Malinga will be assisted by Niroshan Dickwella who is also Sri Lanka cricket team’s new vice-captain.
Speaking to www.srilankasports.com, newly appointed captain Lasith Malinga said that the unexpected news came as a surprise to him as he was sidelined even from the side citing fitness reasons in the past few years. “I never expected this captaincy, but I am very happy to take the responsibility as Sri Lanka cricket team is trying its best to turn around things for good.” said a determined Malinga.
An experienced campaigner, Malinga said that he welcomed the decision of the national team to include players like Asela Gunaratne, Seekkuge Prasanna and Dasun Shanaka in the team.
Squad;
His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena has approved the following 17 players to represent the National ODI and T20 Squad of Sri Lanka during the ongoing tour in New Zealand.
1.) Lasith Malinga – Captain
2.) Niroshan Dickwella – Vice Captain
3.) Angelo Mathews
4.) Danushka Gunathilaka
5.) Kusal Janith Perera
6.) Dinesh Chandimal
7.) Asela Gunaratne
8.) Kusal Mendis
9.) Dhananjaya De Silva
10.) Thisara Perera
11.) Dasun Shanaka
12.) Lakshan Sandakan
13.) Seekkuge Prasanna
14.) Dushmantha Chameera
15.) Kasun Rajitha
16.) Nuwan Pradeep
17.) Lahiru Kumara
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