COLOMBO: Experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews has replaced injured pacer Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.
Pathirana sustained a shoulder injury in Sri Lanka’s six-wicket defeat against Pakistan and was consequently ruled out of his side’s next ICC World Cup 2023 fixtures against Australia and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Angelo Mathews, who last played an ODI in June, had already linked up with the Sri Lanka squad ahead of their clash against the Netherlands, called up as a travelling reserve alongside pacer Dushmantha Chameera.
Mathews’ inclusion will serve as a major confidence booster for Sri Lanka, who can bank on his huge experience. The all-rounder represented the nation in 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Angelo Mathews also captained Sri Lanka in the 2015 World Cup.
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Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana’s exclusion marked a second blow to Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 as their captain Dasun Shanaka was also ruled out of the mega event due to a quadriceps tear, which he also picked up during his side’s fixture against Pakistan.
Pacer Chamika Karunaratne replaced Shanaka in the squad while wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis took the leadership role.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka are also with their ace spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who also missed out on the World Cup due to an injury.
For the unversed, former champions Sri Lanka are struggling to get going in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 as they currently hold ninth position with only two points in four matches.
They next face defending champions England on October 26, who are at the bottom of the table, also with two points in four matches.
Sri Lanka Squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne.
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