SRI LANKA INCLUDE MICT’S THUSHARA IN T20 WORLD CUP SQUAD

Sri Lanka have included Nuwan Thushara in their 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.

Thushara was one of the revelations of Betway SA20 Season 2 after arriving as a late replacement for MI Cape Town’s nominated Wildcard, Jofra Archer. The 29-year-old Sri Lankan is a virtual carbon copy for his bowling coach at MICT, Lasith Malinga, with a similar ‘slingy’ action and an expert exponent of late-swinging yorkers.

These traits were evident during the five matches Thushara played for MICT. Of the eight wickets he claimed, four were clean bowled while another was trapped LBW via a ‘toe-crusher’. Moreover, Thushara showed a penchant for dismissing top order batters with Jos Buttler, Aiden Markram and Rilee Rossouw among his victims.

While Thushara is the sole SA20 representative in the main squad, Durban’s Super Giants batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa (who made two appearances at the back end of Season 2) will be one of four travelling reserves. Two other main squad members featured in Season 1 of South Africa’s premier T20 League: Kusal Mendis (Pretoria Capitals) and Maheesh Theekshana (Joburg Super Kings).

Sri Lanka find themselves in what could be an intriguing Group D, featuring South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal. Their group matches are set for New York, Texas, Florida and Saint Lucia.

SRI LANKA 2024 ICC T20 WORLD CUP PROVISIONAL SQUAD

Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara (MI Cape Town), Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka

Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Durban’s Super Giants), Janith Liyanage.