Sri Lanka unlikely to automatically qualify for World Cup

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

Already playing the qualifying round of the ICC T-20 World Cup, Sri Lanka seem to be heading in the same direction in the 50-over format as well as chances of them automatically qualifying for the sport’s showpiece event are remote. The former World Champions are currently placed ninth with 62 points in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League. Sri Lanka have finished six series in the league and are left with the away series in New Zealand and home series against Afghanistan, both next year. Even if they win all six games and accumulate all the 60 points, they are unlikely to go through automatically. Only eight teams in the league gain automatic qualification. That means they will have to play World Cup qualifiers next year.

The five-match series against Australia that gets underway today here at Pallekele is outside the World Cup Super League. So, even if Sri Lanka win this series, that wouldn’t boost their chances of going through to the World Cup.

Although Sri Lanka will rue not being able to add further points to the World Cup Super League, the fact that they are playing a high-quality opposition like Australia will stand them in good stead when they have to show up for the qualifying phase.

Sri Lanka’s ODI side is significantly different from the T-20 side with players like Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, and Dhananjaya de Silva in the squad. That adds stability to batting which was lacking during the T-20s.

Asitha Fernando who did so well during Bangladesh Tests has been added to the squad as injury cover to Kasun Rajitha. Sri Lanka’s under-19 captain Dunith Wellalage, who impressed during this year’s ICC Youth World Cup is also in the senior squad for the first time.

Captain Dasun Shanaka indicated that Wellalage could make his debut today as Sri Lanka are looking at a three-spin option.

Australia meanwhile are facing several injury worries. Kyle Abbott has gone back home after fracturing his left index finger and Kane Richardson, who bowled the fateful last over in the third T-20 International has returned home too having sustained a hamstring injury. Scott Boland has replaced him in the squad. Mitchell Starc is also on the mend having hurt his left index finger that required six stitches.

Like Sri Lanka’s, the Australian ODI side is quite different too with players like Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins returning to the side.

The first two ODIs will take place at Pallekele before the teams return to Colombo for the remainder of the series.

Sri Lana (From)

Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lahiru Madushanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage and Pramod Madushan.

Australia (From)

David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar, Cameroon Green, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Swepson, Jhye Richardson and Scott Boland.