Sri Lanka are not having a memorable World Cup 2023, with poor form and injuries, which has forced them to call up experienced Angelo Mathews as a reserve. Three matches down, they are the only not to win a single game so far and are rooted to the bottom of the points table. Their next game is against the Netherlands, on October 21, who are coming off a brilliant win over tournament favourites South Africa.
While Sri Lanka will be hoping to get on the board against the Dutch on Saturday (October 21), nothing seems to be going their way in the camp. They have called up veteran Angelo Mathews and pacer Dushmantha Chameera as travelling reserves ahead of their match against the Netherlands.
Adding to their woes, the team from the island nation is suffering from injuries in the ongoing tournament. Their regular skipper Dasun Shanaka has already been ruled out of the tournament with Kusal Mendis taking over the mantle from him. The latest casualty in the squad is pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
While the only travelling reserve Chamika Karunaratne has already officially replaced Shanaka, Angelo Mathews and Chameera are being called up by the team management in case of last-minute injuries.
Netherlands vs Sri Lanka head to head stats and records ODI 2023
Sri Lanka also faced a number of injury issues in the lead-up to the World Cup. Their key spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the competition after being injured in the Lanka Premier League. Even Chameera couldn’t get fit in time for the mega event but he seems to have regained full fitness and has now been picked to travel as a reserve.
Both Mathews and Chameera are expected to join the team by Friday (October 20) and will be added to the squad officially if required.
Sri Lanka’s performance in World Cup 2023 so far leading to call-up of Angelo Mathews
This World Cup has been forgettable for Sri Lanka so far. They have lost all three matches against – South Africa, Pakistan and Australia and the manner in which Sri Lanka have lost makes it even tougher for a comeback.
They conceded a massive 428 runs against the Proteas on a flat deck at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The Sri Lankan bowlers then couldn’t defend the total of 344 runs against Pakistan at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Sri Lanka started well against Australia in their third outing with a 125-run opening stand batting first. But they lost all their 10 wickets for the next 84 runs to get bowled out on 209 runs. Consequently, the bowlers conceded 210 runs in less than 36 overs to lose by five wickets.
Against the Netherlands, the 1996 World Champions will be eagerly looking to gain two valuable points and stay alive in the competition. However, it won’t be easy for them against the Dutch who look massively confident after thumping the Proteas.
Sri Lanka’s Captain Dasun Shanaka Ruled Out of World Cup 2023
