Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has released a statement following the team’s poor showing against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. They were bowled out for a meager 55 runs while attempting to chase 358.
Although Sri Lanka still has a slight chance of reaching the semi-finals, their performance in the tournament has generally been underwhelming.
In their first match, they allowed South Africa to score 428 runs, and they have only managed to win two games thus far, against the Netherlands and England.
The Sri Lankan team has faced challenges due to injuries. Prominent players such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dasun Shanaka have all suffered injuries in the recent past.
However, the manner in which they lost has been concerning, leading the SLC to take action. The statement from the organization stated:
“The recent overall performance and shocking defeats have raised significant questions about the team’s preparation, strategies and performance.”
”SLC management never interfered with the hired professional staff to carry out their duties and responsibilities as per the norms and regulations.”
The statement continued:
“However, SLC firmly believes in accountability, transparency and the importance of addressing subject concerns promptly.”
In the 2023 Asia Cup final against India, Sri Lanka was also dismissed for a very low total of 49 runs. Furthermore, during a bilateral series against India at the beginning of 2023, they experienced a record-breaking 317-run defeat in Thiruvananthapuram.
These performances led to SLC initiating an investigation and requesting a report from the team management.
Sri Lanka’s coaching staff and selectors are set to discuss the team’s World Cup performance on four different aspects
Sri Lanka is currently ranked seventh in the points table, with two upcoming matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Although Sri Lanka has had some highlights in the World Cup, such as a high-scoring match against Pakistan and Dilshan Madushanka leading the tournament in wickets, they are still facing difficulties.
It appears they will miss out on reaching the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup for the third consecutive time. The statement says that the coaching staff and selectors must give reasons for certain important areas, including:
“Strategy and preparation: Providing insights into the team’s strategy, preparation and tactical decisions during the matches.”
“Team selection: Justifying player selections for each match and explaining any changes made to the playing XI.”
“Player performance: Assessing individual and team performance, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and addressing any injuries or fitness concerns.”
“Post-match analysis: Sharing post-match analyses conducted by the coaching team and explaining key takeaways.”
Sri Lanka’s next match is set to take place against Bangladesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Monday.
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