“He’s someone who can play Twenty20 cricket in the middle order, and you need players like that in this format”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka have included all-rounder Ramith Rambukwella in their 30-man preliminary World Cup squad.

As a result of Rambukwella’s inclusion, fellow all-rounder Chaturanga de Silva failed to make the cut.

Rambukwella, who is the son of Sri Lanka’s mass media minister Keheliya Rambukwella, made his Twenty20 International debut against New Zealand in November last year. During that match, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets, Rambukwella recorded brilliant figures of 1-19 off his four overs.

In terms of his domestic career, Rambukwella averages 18.86 with the bat and 25.51 with the ball.

However, in July 2013, Rambukwella was fined half of his A-team tour earnings when he tried to open the cabin doors at 35,000 feet during a flight to the United Kingdom.

“Ramith is a left-hand batsman who bowls right arm off-spin, who can clear the boundaries and can hit hard,” chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said. “He’s someone who can play Twenty20 cricket in the middle order, and you need players like that in this format. We’re bringing him on as a batting all-rounder who can bowl off-spin.”

Interestingly enough, Sri Lanka have also drafted veteran pace bowler Farveez Maharoof and uncapped chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan into the side.

Sri Lanka’s preliminary World Cup squad: Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Ashan Priyanjan, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ajantha Mendis, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Ramith Rambukwella, Tharindu Kaushal, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Shaminda Eranga, Thisara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Gamage