Sanath Jayasuriya: Selecting Sri Lanka squad against Australia difficult

As Australia prepare to visit Sri Lanka for the upcoming Test series, the hosts’ chief selector and legendary cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya finds it difficult to sort a proper squad. A lot of Lankan players have recently suffered injuries due to which they are not available for selection and that is what is making the procedure difficult, according to Jayasuriya. Important players like Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera and Suranga Lakmal are unavailable due to their respective injuries while Shaminda Eranga’s action has been reported, which leaves Jayasuriya with very few options in the pace department. READ: Muttiah Muralitharan: No grudges against Australia

Talking to espncricinfo.com, Jayasuriya said, “It is very difficult times as a selector to pick a balanced squad with so many injuries. It’s a bit tough but we will try and pick the best possible team. I hope the players picked also know what is expected of them and that they will do their best.”

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“Whoever is fit and whoever is doing well in the Sri Lanka A team, we’ll have to give them the opportunity. It is the feeding place for the senior side. If we feel there is somebody who is very good in the Sri Lanka A, emerging or Under-19 squads, we will not hesitate to pick them,” he added.

He also mentioned a few potential options. “I am really happy the way some of the Sri Lanka A players have been performing in England. Fast bowlers Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando, batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva and Roshen Silva are quite a few players. When we play in Sri Lanka we have a better chance of performing than when you are overseas. I am confident they can do well. But it’s a lot of hard work to come out and show their character.”