Sri Lanka will head into the 2023 World Cup as one of the underdogs. Here is the team preview for Sri Lanka ahead of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, including their World Cup history, squad, player to watch out for, predicted XI and more. A full preview of the 2023 World Cup appears in issue 71 of Wisden Cricket Monthly.
Sri Lanka at the 2023 Cricket World Cup: Team Preview
Sri Lanka were a consistent team across all formats from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s. Due to the extended transition period, Sri Lanka had to play a qualifying round to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. Although they have won the qualifying tournament fairly and squarely, their current form and luck is nothing to be proud of. Sri Lanka lost in the 50-a-side Asian Cup final and will face the World Cup without their main spinner Wanindu Hasarangaand main striker Dushmanta Chameera. But it can also be a relief for teams if they don’t go into the World Cup with high expectations. Sri Lanka would also like to do the same.
Sri Lanka ODI World Cup history
Sri Lanka has participated in all the World Cup competitions. The first time they made it past the group stage was in 1996, when they first (and last) won the event. Since then, they have come close twice, finishing second in 2007 and 2011. In 2015 they were eliminated in the quarter-finals, while last time he finished 6th but defeated eventual champions England in the group stage.
Sri Lanka at the 2023 Cricket World Cup: Full squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Rahil Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadheera Samarawickrama, Charice Asaranka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Mahish Sheikshana, Dunis Wellaregji, Kasun Rajitha, Matisha Pathirana, Dilshan Madhushanka, Dushan Hemanta.
Captain: Dasun Shanaka
Coach: Chris Silverwood
Wisden Cricket Monthly’s Most Valuable Player: Charith Asalanka
After 39 ODIs, Asaranka has averaged 41 and is improving with each match. The left-footer played as a midfielder in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and gained a reputation for being tough in pressure situations. This World Cup comes at a good time. Asaranka is 26 years old, in the third year of his international career, and nearing his peak. He and the lively Kusal Mendis provide much-needed vigor and style in what can often be a monotonous cast. Both require big tournaments if Sri Lanka want to qualify.
Players to watch: Dunith Wellalage
Danis Wellerage brings that raw intensity to a camp desperate for a turnaround in global events and promises to shine brightly. Sri Lanka had not been able to reach the final tournament of her ICC white ball competition in the last five attempts and needed to pass the qualifying round to participate in the next World Cup.
The 20-year-old could be a capable successor to Hasaranga as he plays in the middle overs and comes with a light baggage. In the few moments we’ve seen of Welerage, he’s unfazed in big situations, and instead is at his best when surrounded.
Read the article about Dunith Wellalage here.
Sri Lanka at the 2023 Cricket World Cup: Predicted XI
Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (Woche), Sadira Samarawickrama, Charice Asaranka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka at the 2023 Cricket World Cup: Full fixtures list
A complete preview of the 2023 World Cup can be found in issue 71 of Wisden Cricket Monthly.
To bet on the World Cup with our Match Centre Partners bet365 head here.
