ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Sri Lanka squad: All you need to know about Dimuth Karunaratne and Co
Dimuth Karunaratne-led Sri Lanka will be desperate for a positive start in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after enduring a difficult few months.
World Cup 2019 Points Table
| Team | p | w | l | nr | pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australia
|
5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
 New Zealand
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
 India
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
 England
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
 Bangladesh
|
5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
 Sri Lanka
|
5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
 West Indies
|
5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
 South Africa
|
5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
 Pakistan
|
5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
 Afghanistan
|
4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Dimuth Karunaratne-led Sri Lanka will be desperate for a positive start in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after enduring a difficult few months.
Following their 5-0 defeat against South Africa in their away series, the Lankans axed Lasith Malinga as skipper and named Karunaratne instead.
Sri Lanka players celebrate the dismissal of South Africa's Aiden Markram during the World Cup warm-up match. Reuters
Karunaratne, returning to Sri Lanka’s ODI fold after four years, is fairly new to the team and has only played 18 ODIs so far.
However, the 31-year-old impressed as he scored 87 against South Africa in their first World Cup warm-up match, despite ending up on the losing side.
On the other hand, Angelo Mathews, who has played 204 ODIs, too played a promising knock of 64. And it is no surprise that the Islanders will rely on his experience in the tournament.
What hurts Sri Lanka the most is their bowling. The Islanders conceded 90 runs off the last two overs with 46 of them coming in the last three overs. Suranga Lakmal finished with 2-63 from nine overs in the warm-up match against the Proteas, whereas Jeffrey Vandersay went for an expensive spell of 0/30 from just two overs.
As a result, South Africa went on to post a huge total of 338/7.
Notably, Isuru Udana was the economical bowler in that match, finishing with a spell of 1/42 from 10 overs.
As Sri Lanka eye their first 50-over World Cup trophy since 1996, we look at their players and what we can expect of them:
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain): Karunaratne's leadership and batting crucial to Sri Lanka's chances
Lahiru Thirimanne: Islanders pin batting hopes on reliable Thirimanne
Dhananjaya de Silva: Dhananjaya's multiple skills make him a vital cog for Sri Lanka
Kusal Perera: Flamboyant opener crucial to team getting good starts in upcoming event
Angelo Mathews: Mathews looking to live up to 'finisher' tag in showpiece tournament
Kusal Mendis: Sri Lanka's No 4 can provide stability in middle overs
Avishka Fernando: Back-up opener can provide explosive starts if given a chance
Thisara Perera: Perera could be the finisher and match-winner Sri Lanka need
Milinda Siriwardene: Siriwardene can provide batting firepower in death overs
Nuwan Pradeep: Armed with slower deliveries and yorkers, Pradeep will play the role of containing batsmen in middle overs
Suranga Lakmal: Pacer's experience and control will be lethal early on
Isuru Udana: Left-arm pacer provides variety to the Sri Lanka pace attack
Jeffrey Vandersay: Highly rated Vandersay will look to make the most of limited opportunities in England
Lasith Malinga: Malinga's guile will be Sri Lanka's most lethal weapon in England
Jeevan Mendis: Mendis' all-round ability, experience lends balance to side
For all the latest news, opinions and analysis from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, click here
Updated Date:May 27, 2019 12:27:50 IST
Also See
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Mahela Jayawardene concerned with Sri Lanka's batting, says they should have aimed for 250-plus total
Kusal Perera, bowlers steal the show as Sri Lanka down Afghanistan in rain-curtailed Cricket World Cup match to get first points
Sri Lanka vs Australia, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match Preview: Dimuth Karunaratne and Co seek for good fortune in clash against defending champions