The Selection Committee of Netball headed by Dhamayanthi Jayatilleka has announced the final 12-member squad for the Senior Netball World Cup which is scheduled to be held in South Africa next August.
Gayanjali Amarawansa and Dulangi Wannithilleka the captain and vice-captain of the last Asia Cup champions team will retain their places with former skippers Gayani Dissanayake, Chathurangi Jayasuriya, Semini Alwis, and six-footer Thisala Algama the goal shooter being named in the final twelve team. Promising players like Malmi Hettiarachchi, Bhashini Yoshitha, Rashmi Perera, Gayathri Kaushalya and Shanika Perera are also included in the team.
Meanwhile, Asia’s best goal shooter (6 feet 11 inches tall) Tharjini Shiwalingam who is based in Australia was also named in the squad but her availability for the World Cup is not sure and the selectors have named Imasha Perera as Tharjini’s replacement.
Daily News learns that the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) was forced to add Tharjini Shivalingam to the World Cup National netball team without any trials.
We had to add her but head coach Thilaka Jinadasa wants to name one team with Tharjini and one without her. This system is highly criticized by several Netball experts.
Thisala Algama is the best choice for Tharjini and why should we get Tharjini without giving any trials, added Netball experts.
Meanwhile, three reserve players Imasha Perera, Chamudi Wickramaratne and Rukshala Hapuarachchi are named as the standbys for the National Netball team. The team is submitted for the Sports Minister’s approval.
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