Pen Sketches of Sri Lanka Squad for '99 World Cup (24 April 1999)

24 April 1999

Pen Sketches of Sri Lanka Squad for '99 World Cup

Sa'Adi Thawfeeq

ARJUNA RANATUNGA (SSC). Captain. 35 years. Left-hand bat and right-arm medium pace. The longest serving player in the game having made his international debut at the age of 18 years in 1982. Easily Sri Lanka's most successful captain, having won the most prestigious prize in one-day cricket - the World Cup in 1996. He will be trying to emulate the feat of West Indian Clive Lloyd as the only captain to retain the World Cup when Sri Lanka's defends the title in England. Lloyd won the World Cup in 1975 and 1979.

Fifth World Cup following 1983, 1987, 1992, 1996 (captain). World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 25, Innings 24, Not Outs 8, Highest Score 88 (n.o.) v Zimbabwe (New Plymouth) 1992, Runs 835, Average 52.18, Hundreds 0, Fifties 6, Bowling - Runs 460, Wickets 6, Average 76.66, Best 2/26 v ------, Ec/Rt 5.66, Fielding 6 catches, MoM awards: 1.

ARAVINDA DE SILVA (NCC). Vice-captain. 33 years. Right-hand bat and off-breaks. The hero of the 1996 World Cup triumph taking the MoM awards in both the semi-finals and final. Joined West Indians Clive Lloyd (in 1975) and Viv Richards (in 1979) as the only three players to score a century in a World Cup final when he made an undefeated 107 against Australia at Lahore in 1996. Made Sri Lanka's maiden century in a World Cup when he scored 145 v Kenya (Kandy), 1996. He is the only centurion for Sri Lanka in the competition so far.

Fourth World Cup following 1987, 1992 (captain), 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 20, Innings 19, Not Outs 3, Highest Score 145 v Kenya (Kandy), 1996, Runs 724, Average 45.25, Hundreds 2, Fifties 3, Bowling - Runs 310, Wickets 7, Average 44.28, Best 3/42 v Australia (Lahore), 1996, Ec/Rt 5.16, Fielding - 7 catches, MoM awards: 4.

MARVAN ATAPATTU (SSC). 28 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm leg-breaks. Made his mark in England when he steered his country to an emphatic win in the Emirates trophy triangular final at Lord's with a masterly knock 132 not out against England last year. This remains his highest score in one-day cricket. Although he has been around for almost ten years, he will be making his World Cup debut in the '99 tournament. He was part of the successful World Cup team in 1996, but did not play in any matches.

Second World Cup following 1996.

UPUL CHANDANA (Tamil Union). 26 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm leg-breaks. Became a regular member of the team following the exit of Kumara Dharmasena. Useful player to come down the order and make quick runs especially in the slog overs. Bowls fast leg-breaks and is a brilliant all-round field. Will be making his World Cup debut in the '99 tournament. He was part of the successful World Cup team in 1996, but did not play in any matches. Second World Cup following 1996.

CHANDIKA HATHURUSINGHA (Moors SC). 30 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm medium-pace. Played in his first World Cup in 1992 as an opening batsman, but selected for his second World Cup seven years later as the fourth seamer in the team. In the 1992 tournament, he took 4 for 57 against West Indies at Berri which is the best bowling of his one-day career. Has the ability to swing and seam the ball and much is expected of him in heavy English conditions which favour that kind of bowling.

Second World Cup following 1992. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 4, Innings 3, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 16 v West Indies (Berri) 1992, Runs 26, Average 8.66, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 97, Wickets 5, Average 19.40, Best 4/57 v West Indies (Berri) 1992, Ec/Rt 5.70, Fielding - 1 catch.

SANATH JAYASURIYA (Bloomfield). 29 years. Left-hand bat and left-arm orthodox spin. Rose into prominence as a pinch-hitter during the 1996 World Cup where he made the most of the field restrictions in the first 15 overs to accumulate runs with devastating effect on the opposition. With Romesh Kaluwitharana formed a lethal opening partnership that proved decisive in Sri Lanka's World Cup triumph. Voted the 'Most Valuable Player of the Tournament' in 1996 for his contributions to his team's success. Will make a return to international cricket during the '99 World Cup after breaking his forearm in Australia three months ago.

Third World Cup following 1992, 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 12, Innings 11, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 82 v England (Faisalabad) 1996, Runs 295, Average 26.81, Hundreds 0, Fifties 2, Bowling - Runs 275, Wickets 7, Average 39.28, Best 3/12 v India (Calcutta) 1996, Ec/Rt 4.82, Fielding - 9 catches.

MAHELA JAYAWARDENE (SSC). 21 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm medium-pace. Has more or less taken the no. 3 slot vacated by Asanka Gurusinha, who played a prominent role in that position in Sri Lanka's World Cup victory in 1996. In the short space of time, has proved his class and credentials with two centuries in the one-day game, both match-winning efforts in Australia and in India. Toured England last year and the experience may hold him in good stead when he makes his World Cup debut in the '99 tournament.

RUWAN KALPAGE (NCC). 29 years. Left-hand bat and off-breaks. A bits and pieces cricketer who has never found a permanent place in the national team. Brilliant out fielder. Can bowl in tight spells, but is no potential match-winner. Played in 1992 World Cup and is brought back for his second after seven years.

Second World Cup following 1992. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 7, Innings 6, Not Outs 2, Highest Score 14 v Australia (Adelaide) 1992, Runs 67, Average 16.75, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 241, Wickets 4, Average 60.25, Best 2/33 v New Zealand (Hamilton) 1992, Ec/Rt 4.82, Fielding - 3 catches.

ROMESH KALUWITHARANA (Colts). 29 years. Right-hand bat and wicket-keeper. Rose into prominence after being promoted to open the batting in Australia in the World Series Cup in 1995-96 where he bagged three consecutive 'Man of the Match' awards with match-winning half-centuries. With Sanath Jayasuriya formed a highly effective opening combination which made the maximum use of one-day field restrictions in the first 15 overs during the 1996 World Cup triumph. A consistent wicket-keeper whose performances usually suffers when he lacks confidence in his batting. Second World Cup following 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 6, Innings 6, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 33 v Kenya (Kandy) 1996, Runs 73, Average 12.16, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, No Bowling, Fielding - 5 dismissals (2 ct, 3 st).

ROSHAN MAHANAMA (Bloomfield). 32 years. Right-hand bat and one of the most outstanding fielders in contemporary cricket. One of handful of fielders in one-day cricket to hold over hundred catches. Reliable middle-order batsman who has in recent times struggled with his technique, which has often got him out lbw. A senior member of the team having played in three previous World Cups including the triumphant 1996 where he got only three opportunities to bat in the entire tournament. His knock of 89 in the 1987 World Cup stood as the highest by a Sri Lankan player in the competition until Aravinda de Silva surpassed it in 1996. Celebrates his 33rd birthday on May 31. Fourth World Cup following 1987, 1992, 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 20, Innings 16, Not Outs 3, Highest Score 89 v Pakistan (Hyderabad) 1987, Runs 460, Average 35.38, Hundreds 0, Fifties 5, No Bowling, Fielding - 5 catches.

MUTHIAH MURALITHARAN (Tamil Union). 27 years. Right-hand bat and off-breaks. Despite the controversies surrounding his bowling, he still continues to torment batsmen with his unorthodox action which gives him the advantage to spin virtually on any surface. Distinguished himself in English conditions by taking 16 wickets against England in the one-off Test at the Oval last year. Also took 5 for 34 to bowl Sri Lanka to victory by five wickets in the Emirates trophy triangular final against England at Lord's last year - the best figures by a bowler in one-day matches at that hallowed venue. Has signed up to play for English county Lancashire after the '99 World Cup. Since he broke into the international scene, has been his country's solitary match-winning bowler in both types of cricket. Also a brilliant outfielder. Second World Cup following 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 6, Innings 1, Not Outs 1, Highest Score 5 (n.o.) v India (Calcutta), 1996, Runs 5, Average --.--, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 216, Wickets 7, Average 30.85, Best 2/37 v England (Faisalabad), 1996, Ec/Rt 3.79, Fielding - 2 catches.

HASHAN TILLEKERATNE (NCC). 31 years. Left-hand bat, right-arm medium-pace and wicket-keeper. His all-round ability makes him a valuable member of the team. However with the presence of Roshan Mahanama he has been unable to hold a regular place in the one-day team until recently when Mahanama was dropped due to poor form. A solid batter whose approach to the one-day game has been roundly criticised because of his inability to produce exuberance. Played in his first World Cup in 1992 as a wicket-keeper/batsman. Third World Cup following 1992, 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 14, Innings 12, Not Outs 4, Highest Score 70 (n.o.) v India (Kanpur) 1996, Runs 207, Average 25.87, Hundreds 0, Fifties 1, Bowling - Runs 4, Wickets 0, Average --.--, Ec/Rt 4.00, Fielding - 7 dismissals (6 ct, 1st).

ERIK UPASHANTHA (Colts). 26 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm fast-medium. Bowled impressively in the Asian Test championships and also in the one-day triangular in India to earn a recall to the national team after three years. Will make his World Cup debut in '99 tournament.

CHAMINDA VAAS (Colts). 25 years. Left-hand bat and left-arm fast-medium. Has failed to live upto his early promise as a match-winning bowler following an operation in his bowling foot. In recent times has strugled to move the ball across the right-hander, a tactic which brought him many wickets prior to the operation. Is working hard towards achieving perfection. Missed out on the England tour last year due to the operation. Second World Cup following 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 6, Innings 1, Not Outs 0, Highest Score 23 v India (Calcutta) 1996, Runs 23, Average 23.00, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - runs 49, Wickets 6, Average 32.16, Best 2/30 v Zimbabwe (SSC) 1996, Ec/Rt 3.93, Fielding - no catches.

PRAMODYA WICKREMASINGHE (SSC). 27 years. Right-hand bat and right-arm fast-medium. The most experienced bowler in the team having played in two previous World Cups. Despite being around for nearly seven years, only recently has he begun to bowl to his potential, his last 15 one-day games bringing him 21 wickets at a cost 25.42. Although spearheading the bowling he failed to take a single wicket during Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup triumph. Third World Cup following 1992, 1996. World Cup performances: Batting - Matches 12, Innings 4, Not Outs 4, Highest Score 21 (n.o.) v West Indies (Berri), 1992, Runs 34, Average --.--, Hundreds 0, Fifties 0, Bowling - Runs 417, Wickets 7, Average 59.57, Best 2/29 v Australia (Adelaide) 1992, Ec/Rt 4.78, Fielding - 2 catches.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)