Arnold in for World Cup

Sri Lanka have included veteran Russel Arnold in their World Cup squad, as well as the returning Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Arnold was chosen over Chamara Kapugedera, who has not performed well so far in his ODI career. The 33-year old was recalled recently, and adds experience and tidy off-spin as well as his batting.

Chaminda Vaas returns after being rested for the India series, and is one of five seam bowlers in the squad. The final spot went to Nuwan Kulasekara, whose abilities with the bat and in the field pushed him ahead of the competition. Muralitharan’s spin partner will be Malinga Bandara, who was preferred to the more experienced Upul Chandana.

Chairman of selectors, Asantha De Mel, is confident Sri Lanka can succeed at the World Cup: “We feel this is the right combination for the World Cup, The team has got a nice blend of youth and experience. We are well prepared and we feel this team can go all the way to win the World Cup.”

Mahela Jayawardene leads the side as expected, and he also has high hopes for his players in the West Indies: “We are competing much better overseas,” he said. “We have grown up as a team and we have put a lot of results together.”

Sri Lanka World Cup squad
Mahela Jayawardene (c), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara.