COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – Sri Lanka Cricket’s chairman of selectors Aravinda de Silva says the postponed One-Day International series against West Indies was a big blow to the selection process ahead of next year’s World Cup in Asia.
Persistent rain forced authorities here to call off the five-match series, just hours before the first game was scheduled to bowl off in Hambantota last Thursday.
And while the series will now be played next month, de Silva said the postponement had derailed the selectors’ plans in settling on the final 15 for the February 19 to April 2 showpiece.
“Missing those five ODIs against West Indies was very crucial because we were really looking at finding an ultimate combination before picking the final 15,” de Silva said “There were things which we wanted to try in the five ODIs. It was very unfortunate we missed out on it, but nevertheless we have a basic idea of what we are looking for. There are a couple of things we would have loved to have tried out and made sure before the World Cup.” “If we are unable to get some international fixtures we’ll have to take the risk and go with our gut feeling in selecting the final 15. That is why we are here to take certain decisions on the experience we’ve had and what we seen.
“My co-selectors and the team management are quite confident we will put out a strong squad.”
Rain was a feature of the entire tour as it also ravaged the preceding three-Test series, allowing precious little play overall and forcing a nil-all stalemate.
Sri Lanka, one of the hosts for the World Cup along with India and Bangladesh, are one of the pre-tournament favourites.
They will campaign in Group A alongside title-holders Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
