Latest News in Sri Lanka: Jayasuriya, Vaas out of SL World Cup squad

Friday, January 7, 2011

Jayasuriya, Vaas out of SL World Cup squad

World Cup-winning veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were left out of Sri Lanka's final World Cup squad of 15 players named on Friday by the national selection committee headed by Aravinda de Silva.

The squad consists of 11 members who represented Sri Lanka in the three-match one-day series in Australia, which the visitors won 2-1, giving them their first ODI series win in Australia. The one surprise was that left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was picked ahead of offspinner Suraj Randiv.

Both Jayasuriya and Vaas had been named in the provisional squad of 30, and there was speculation that either one of the two players would make it to the final team. They had indicated to the selectors that they would want to play in another World Cup before announcing their retirements from international cricket. Both players have retired from Test cricket but have been playing one-day and Twenty20 cricket. Vaas last played an ODI in August, 2008, while Jayasuriya last played a 50-over game for Sri Lanka in December, 2009.

The only surviving member of the 1996 World Cup winning side is Muttiah Muralitharan, who retired from Test cricket after the first Test against India in July last year, but has remained eligible for selection in the 50-over game, and was always expected to make the final 15.

Kumar Sangakkara will lead the side with Mahela Jayawardene as his deputy. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh host the 2011 World Cup, which will take place from February 19 to April 2. Source by: espncricinfo.com

Sri Lanka World Cup squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), Mahela Jayawardene, 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.