WORLD CUP: Group A Squads - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka World Cup Squad

Batsmen

Tillakaratne Dilshan - 34 - Right Hand Opening/Middle Order Batsman

Upul Tharanga - 25 - Left Hand Opening Batsman

Kumar Sangakkara (Captain) - 33 - Wicket Keeper - Left Hand Top Order Batsman

Mahela Jayawardene (Vice-Captain) - 33 - Right Hand Top Order Batsman

Thilan Samaraweera - 34 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Chamara Silva - 31 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

Chamara Kapugedera - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman

All-Rounders

Angelo Mathews - 23 - Right Hand Middle Order Batsman - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Thisara Perera - 21 - Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler - Left Hand Middle/Lower Order Batsman

Spin Bowlers

Rangana Herath - 32 - Left Arm Orthodox Spin Bowler

Muttiah Muralitharan - 38 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Ajantha Mendis - 25 - Right Arm Off Spin Bowler

Fast Bowlers

Nuwan Kulasekera - 28 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Dilhara Fernando - 31 - Right Arm Fast Medium Bowler

Lasith Malinga - 27 - Right Arm Fast Bowler

There are few surprises in Sri Lanka's squad. Of all the teams in the tournament Sri Lanka may arguably have the most settled squad of all. Certainly their top 7 is well and truly settled (although I still have question marks over Silva and Kapugedera). The only questions are over the bowling line-up. In the subcontinent, and with a majority of their matches at home in Colombo, Sri Lanka will surely play two quicks and two spinners, with Mathews as the 3rd pace option. That leaves two questions. 

1. Will Herath or Mendis support Murali as the 2nd spinner? Mendis is the more devastating front line bowler but can be inconsistent. Herath would be the perfect foil to Murali, he is more disciplined and economical, and rather than playing two off spinners, Herath's Left Arm finger spin, turning the ball away from the right hander provides good variety. It is this variety in fact which has earned him a place in the squad at all. Herath is probably the most surprising member of the squad, being picked over fancied young off spinner Suraj Randiv for the sole reason that the off spin monopoly would be broken.

2. Which two fast bowlers will take the new ball. Malinga is likely to be the incumbent, with Kulasekera, Fernando and Perera fighting over one spot. They all have their own advantages. Kulasekera is surely the best wicket taker of the three, but Fernando brings vital maturity and experience, while Perera's batting prowess would create a formidable middle order down to No.8. 

Although it is not exactly a surprise, and surely the only right decision, the announcement of the squad was nevertheless tinged with a certain amount of nostalgic sadness as all time legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were overlooked. This leaves Murali as the only remaining veteran of their 1996 World Cup success.

Prediction

Sri Lanka's preparation is sound and their squad combines the natural world beating talent of the 90s, with an added experience and maturity. They will fancy their chances of finishing on top of Group A, and have every chance of becoming world champions for a second time.

Hosford's XI

  Dilshan, Tharanga, Sangakkara (C)(WK), Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Kapugedera, Mathews, Kulasekera, Herath, Muralitharan, Malinga