T20 Squad: Is Slinga in or out?

By Sadew Rathnayaka

Captain of the Sri Lanka T20 team, Lasith Malinga has not been called in for the National team’s phase one of training which is scheduled to commence on June 1. Doubts have begun circulating following the revelation questioning if the decision to not include Malinga in the national team’s training stems from the decision to not include the cricketer in the country’ T20 world cup squad. 

But according to sources the decision to not call Malinga for training is based on the fact that the 36-year-old fast bowler is undergoing a personalized training session due to a knee injury. 

Following the halting of all forms of cricket due to the Covid 19 outbreak, the ICC recently issued a set of guidelines to resume the sport. Several fast bowlers and spin bowlers will take part in phase one of the training at the SSC grounds according to these guidelines set by the organization.

The training sessions will include players chosen by head coach Mickey Arthur and Chief of the selection committee Asantha De Mel. 

Accordingly, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Vishawa Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, and Isuru Udana will join as fast bowlers while Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya and Wanidu Hasaranga are set to join as spin bowlers. Wicketkeeper and batsman Kusal Janith Perera will also join the sessions. 

Additionally, Angelo Matthews and Thisara Perera have been provided with personalized training sessions they can carry out from home. 

Meanwhile, head coach Mickey Arthur is also set to be moved from the hotel he has currently been put up at and will join the players of the national team at the hotel they will be housed in. The players are expected to use the in house pool and gym. 

While the T20 world cup is set to commence during October in Australia there is uncertainty surrounding the tournament due to the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic. However, all teams which qualified for the tournament have commenced training. No final decision has been made on the captaincy and squad of the Sri Lankan team for the tournament.