World Cup 2019: Sri Lanka Cricket permits families for the mega event

Sri Lanka are not being considered as one of the favorites to win the most-awaited World Cup in England and Wales bearing in mind the shambolic form of their cricket over the past years. Recently, they announced left-handed batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as the skipper for the mega event. Though he has played Test cricket, the southpaw last played an ODI way back in 2015.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently launched their jersey for the World Cup. In the meantime, it has been learned that the country’s cricket board has given blanket approval for the cricketers to have their family members during the 50-overs tournament, starting Thursday, May 30.

A boost for the Sri Lankan players

According to sources, the family members can join only after May 23. For now, only five players- Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Jeevan Mendis and Isuru Udana- have sought permission for the same. It is assumed that more players are also likely to seek permission.

“They will be allowed to stay till Sri Lanka ‘remains’ in the World Cup stage i.e. if the team reaches to the final, they will be allowed to keep them till the end. If not, they can extend the stay at their own costs,” a source was quoted as saying in Deccan Chronicle.

Recently, the BCCI also mentioned that the WAGs of the Indian players won’t be allowed for the first 20 days and there will be a 15-day provision for the same. Even the PCB won’t be letting the family members of the Pakistan players during the 50-overs tournament.

As far as the World Cup is concerned, Karunaratne’s team will play a couple of warm-up matches against South Africa and Australia in Cardiff and Southampton respectively. In the main round, the Lankans are scheduled to first lock horns with New Zealand on Saturday, June 1 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

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