Chairman of National Selectors Aravinda de Silva stated that his committee will weigh more on experience when naming the final Squad of 15 players for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The national selectors on Monday named a 30 member preliminary squad in preparation for the World Cup and it will be pruned down to 15 by the first week of January next year in keeping with the ICC regulations.
Strong combination
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be worked off from February 19 to April 2 and will be co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Aravinda de Silva a member of the 1996 World Cup winning team said that all players in the preliminary 30 Member Squad have justified themselves to be in this position as they look to form a powerful combination of youth and experience.
Specialist batsman
He said that veteran Sanath Jayasuriya will be considered as a specialist batsman and experienced left arm seamer Chaminda Vaas as an opening bowler. However their selection for the final 15 member squad will depend on how well they could balance the team.
De Silva regretted the fact that they missed out a great opportunity of seeing some of the players in action who were earmarked for the probable final squad following the postponement of the five match one day international series against the West Indies.
As a result they were forced to consider the past performances and the international experience of some of the players before naming them in the preliminary 30 member squad.
De Silva stressed the importance of the players having some exposure at international level ahead of the World Cup and said that Sri Lanka Cricket are exploring the possibilities of playing at least a couple of matches against Bangladesh.
Training sessions
He noted that with no competitive cricket at the moment the players have organized a series of training sessions both at day and night at all World Cup venues namely Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa International Stadium.
No passengers
De Silva further noted that there will be no passengers in the final 15 member squad and each player will need to play a specific role given the occasion.
He recalled an example how Upul Chandana even as 12th man played a decisive role on the field during the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal match against England.
Chairman national selectors also believed that the final 15 member squad should include a variety of players who are capable of turning around the game during different match situations.
(Source: Dailynews.lk)
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