Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has taken the place of pace bowler Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. Pathirana sustained a shoulder injury while playing against Pakistan in Hyderabad on October 10 and was subsequently deemed unavailable for Sri Lanka's upcoming matches against Australia and the Netherlands.
Mathews, 36, had already joined the squad before the match against the Netherlands, having been summoned as a reserve player who would travel with the team, alongside fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera.
Former captain Mathews last participated in an ODI against Afghanistan in June. He brings with him a wealth of experience at this level, having competed in the World Cups in 2011, 2015, and 2019. He served as Sri Lanka's captain during the 2015 edition.
Pathirana is the second player from Sri Lanka to suffer an injury setback in this World Cup, following their captain Dasun Shanaka, who was sidelined due to a quadriceps tear sustained during the match against Pakistan. Chamika Karunaratne replaced Shanaka in the Sri Lankan squad, while wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis assumed the role of captain. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is missing legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was also ruled out of the World Cup due to an injury.
Prior to his injury, Pathirana conceded a total of 185 runs in the 19 overs he bowled across matches against South Africa and Pakistan, resulting in an economy rate of nearly 10.
Sri Lanka is in search of an improvement in their form, having secured their first victory of the World Cup by defeating the Netherlands by five wickets in Lucknow on Saturday. Prior to that, they had suffered three consecutive losses. They currently occupy the ninth position on the points table.
