Sri Lanka’s journey in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (CWC23) has encountered another twist as they grapple with changes to their beleaguered squad.
Matheesha Pathirana, who has been battling a persistent shoulder injury, will no longer participate in the remainder of the tournament.
In a strategic move approved by the Event Technical Committee, Angelo Mathews, who had been designated as the traveling reserve, has been selected as Pathirana’s replacement.
Pathirana, a 20-year-old fast bowler, struggled during Sri Lanka’s opening matches against South Africa and Pakistan, unable to deliver his full bowling potential and conceding 185 runs in those games. Regrettably, his time at the tournament has been cut short due to his injury.
Angelo Mathews brings a wealth of experience to the team, with an impressive record of 221 ODIs for Sri Lanka over his lengthy career.
This marks his fourth consecutive appearance in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, following his contributions in 2011, 2015, and 2019.
However, Mathews offers a different skill set compared to the strike-bowler Pathirana, and his arrival highlights the significant void left by Pathirana’s absence, as the Sri Lankan squad grapples with multiple injuries.
The team already faced a setback when key bowler Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the World Cup due to an injury before the tournament began. Additionally, seamer Dushmantha Chameera was only named as a reserve due to his own struggles with injuries.
Captain Dasun Shanaka’s unfortunate exit from the tournament, owing to a torn quadricep, added to Sri Lanka’s woes, with Chamika Krunaratne stepping in as his replacement.
As Sri Lanka faces England in their upcoming match in Bengaluru, they will rely on their second-string players to deliver standout performances and help steer the team towards success.
