Champions Trophy 2017: Sri Lanka announce 15 man squad

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently announced the 15 man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The SLC Board President Thilanga Sumathipala, Chairman of Selectors Sanath Jayasuriya and captain Angelo Mathews addressed the media to announce the squad. The selectors have named 7 players as standby for the tournament – two of which will be the standby on tour.

Skipper Angelo Mathews will have the services of Upul Tharanga as his deputy in the mega event. There are no surprise inclusions in the squad. The selectors have ensured that they have an experienced squad on paper. The likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedara, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara are the experienced members in the lineup.

The bowling department has pacers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep in addition to Malinga and Kulasekara. The team management has made it a point to have many all-rounders on the roster as well. Veteran all-rounder Thisara Perera has found a place in the squad. Seekkuge Prasanna and Asela Gunaratne, who have shown their prowess with the long handle, have got an opportunity to play at the big stage too.

Two standby players have been named who will be with the team on tour. Spin bowling all-rounder Dilruwan Perera and opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka are the two standby players on the tour. In addition to these two players, five more players have been named as the standby players for the tournament. Pacer Vikum Sanjaya and all-rounder Milinda Siriwardana are among the two prominent names in the standby list.

Sri Lanka will play their first match on June 3 against South Africa at the Kennington Oval, London.

Sri Lanka Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2017:

Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga (vc), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedara, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Seekkuge Prasanna.

Standby on tour: Dilruwan Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka.

Standby: Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Sachith Pathirana, Milinda Siriwardana, Akila Dhananjaya.