Tag: Cricket World Cup qualifier

Cricket West Indies (CWI) have added in-form opener Johnson Charles to their squad for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier in place of an injured spinner.

A spectacular return to form has earned experienced opener Johnson Charles a spot in the West Indies squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Johnson Charles was part of the West Indies XI that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 title but often found himself on the outer after that until recalled for the 2022 edition of the showcase event.

The 34-year-old has impressed for the West Indies this year and smashed a blazing 118 from 46 balls with 11 sixes and 10 boundaries in a T20I against South Africa in March.

Johnson Charles then made the most of an unexpected opportunity when added to the West Indies squad for three ODIs against the UAE following Devon Thomas’ suspension.

The right-hander plundered 63 runs from 47 deliveries to set up a West India victory in the second ODI earlier this week, following a quick-fire 24 in the opening clash.

Charles will replace Gudakesh Motie in the 15-member squad with the left-arm spinner still to recover from a lower back injury.

West Indies selectors considered adding another spinner to the squad in place of Motie before settling on a recall for Charles.

Johnson Charles has played 50 ODIs for the West Indies since making his debut in the format in 2012, scoring 1370 runs at an average of 27.40 with two tons.

“(Charles) is experienced at the international level, he will add value to the team for what will be a very important tournament,” West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes said.

“He also has knowledge of the Zimbabwe conditions having played ODI matches there before, so we see him as the right man for the job at this stage.”

The Cricket World Cup Qualifier will be played in Zimbabwe from 18 June with the West Indies campaign to start that day against the USA.

The West Indies will also take on Nepal on 22 June, Zimbabwe on 24 June and the Netherlands on 26 June in Group A with the top three teams progressing to the Super Six stage.

The top two teams at the Cricket World Cup Qualifier will earn a spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be held in India later this year.

West Indies squad: Shai Hope (c), Rovman Powell (vc), Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd.

READ: Angelo Mathews dropped as Sri Lanka name squad for CWC Qualifier

COLOMBO: Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has been left out of Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in June.

Angelo Mathews returned to the 50-over format after a two-year hiatus ahead of Sri Lanka’s away ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year.

The return had glimmered a ray of hope for the 36-year-old of a World Cup swansong.

However, the second ODI against Afghanistan last week saw him removed from the Playing XI due to a spate of poor performances; after his comeback, he had scores of 18, 0, and 12.

Sadeera Samarawickrama, who filled in for Angelo Mathews in the aforementioned match, hit a brisk 44, which allowed him to be retained in the lineup for the third ODI.

His comeback, along with Dimuth Karunaratne’s, was considered a shift in the selectors’ strategy to prioritise experience during a World Cup year prior to the Afghanistan series.

However, Angelo Mathews’s series of dismal performances forced the selectors to reconsider their strategy for the World Cup preparations.

The rest of the Sri Lankan squad has little to no changes from their squad for the Afghanistan ODIs with captain Dasun Shanaka leading the likes of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga fill the allrounders’ slots, while Hasaranga also leads a spin department that also includes Maheesh Theekshana and legspinner Dushan Hemantha.

The former champions Sri Lanka will start their Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign on June 19 against UAE in Bulawayo before playing three warm-up matches.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana.

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COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Tuesday, announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan as they race up their Cricket World Cup (CWC) Qualifier preparations.

Sri Lankan pace prodigy Matheesha Pathirana, nicknamed ‘Baby Malinga’, who impressed with his brilliance in a title-winning IPL campaign for Chennai Super Kings, is likely to make his ODI debut as he was included in the 16-member squad for the first two ODIs of the Afghanistan series.

Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, scheduled from June 2 to 7.

Whereas, Dushmantha Chameera, who is back after a long injury layoff, will lead the Sri Lankan pace attack.

While looking to infuse youth, Sri Lanka also decided to rely on Dimuth Karunaratne’s experience to bolster their batting. Karunaratne last played for the Islanders in the 50-over format in 2021.

Wicketkeeper batter Kusal Perera failed to make it to the squad due to a hamstring injury which paved the way for Sadeera Samarawickrama, who returned to the ODI setup after four-year hiatus.

It is worth mentioning here that Sri Lanka have yet to announce their squad for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, but they will want to keep the majority of their core group.

The former champions are in Group B with Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, and their CWC Qualifier campaign commences on June 19 against the UAE.

Sri Lanka Squad for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.

READ: PCB firm on World Cup stance in high-stakes meeting with ICC: Sources