World Cup 2023: Veteran all-rounder, seamer added to Sri Lanka squad

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Sri Lanka have called up two experienced players for the remainder of ICC World Cup 2023.

Angelo Mathews and Dushmantha Chameera have joined the Sri Lanka side as travelling reserves, as it was announced on Thursday (October 19). The two players will be coming in as reserves but can be slotted in at any stage of the tournament.

Pramod Madushan was the original choice for the Lanka selectors, but they have finally opted for Chameera's experience. With Matheesha Pathirana also unavailale with an imflammation on his bowling arm, Chameera can play a part in their campaign.

Angelo Mathews was also not a part of the plan, but the continued misfiring of the middle-order warranted Mathews' inclusion in the side. The 36-year-old has prior experience of big stages and can help his country in time of need.

Mathews didn't play white ball cricket since 2021 but was handed a chance in March in Sri Lanka's tour to New Zealand. But a disappointing outing in the series, where Mathews could manage only 30 runs across three matches, blocked his way of coming back into the white ball side.

But Sri Lanka are in need of experience at the moment. They are the only side yet to win a World Cup match and rooted at the bottom of the table. Sri Lanka had a massive collapse in the last match as well. From 157 for 1, they lost their last nine wickets for just 52 runs against Australia.

The Lanka challenge up next is against Netherlands in Lucknow on Saturday, who have shown their quality by beating South Africa in the last match.