ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Can struggling Sri Lankan team match-up to challenge of title contenders?

In not-so-good form, Sri Lankan team will be eyeing to leave some marks in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Currently, at No. 6 spot in the ICC ODI ranking, Angelo Mathews’ team is struggling a lot in both batting and bowling departments.

As most of its experienced players have taken retirement, now the onus will be on the young squad to lead the team. In the batting squad, the only experienced players in the team include skipper Angelo Mathews and Upul Tharanga. As far bowling department is concerned, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga are the experienced ones.

Talking about Sri Lanka’s history in the Champions Trophy, it has won only once and that too with India as the co-champion in the year 2002. The biggest disadvantage with the Sri Lankan side is that their performance in the last few series was not up to the mark and they lost most of them.

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Key players

Angelo Mathews: Everybody’s eyes will be on one of the only few experienced players in the team, Mathews. But ahead of their first clash in the Champions Trophy against South Africa, it is not certain that he will be playing or not. He has been struggling with a calf problem.

Upul Tharanga: The second most experienced batsman after Mathews is Tharanga and he is also looking confident ahead of the big clash against South Africa. “Sri Lanka have always done well in ICC tournaments, so we have that confidence,” Tharanga said.

Thisara Perera: Talking about the bowling department, Sri Lanka’s hopes will depend upon Thisara. In fact, being an all-rounder, he may also come in the middle order to give support to the batting side.

Lasith Malinga: One of the key players, Malinga will play a very crucial role as far as bowling is concerned. But the major concern with him is that he will play his first ODI on after nearly one and a half year. He played his last one-day match in November 2015.

Squad

Angelo Mathews (C), Upul Tharanga (VC), Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Seekkuge Prasanna

Schedule

June 3: Sri Lanka vs South Africa in London

June 8: India vs Sri Lanka in London

June 12: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in Cardiff

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