Sri Lanka Cricket Announces Fresh Five-Men Selection Panel

Following the bilateral series whitewash across all three formats against India, the severe criticism over selection panel and players from all quarters recently have had forced the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to announce the new five-member committee of the Panel of Selectors within the Islanders Board.

Pertinently, the committee of selectors’ panel was approved by the Sports Minister, Dayasiri Jayasekera while speaking to the media in Colombo after former cricketers and die-hard fans took a dig at the cricket administration following the poor results.

The former Sri Lankan fast-bowler Graeme Labrooy got appointed as the chairman of the selection panel.

The 53-year-old Colombo-born Labrooy had played 44 One-day internationals and nine Tests for the Lankans. In 15 innings of five-day format, Labrooy had claimed 27 wickets which further saw him collecting 45 wickets in 36 ODI innings between 1986 to 1992.

“The new selectors will begin their term with the selection of the Test Squad to take on Pakistan in their tour of UAE commencing early next week,” SLC said in a release.

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The former limited-overs bowler Labrooy will be assisted by former wicket-keeper batsman Asanka Gurusinha (Cricket Manager) and Gamini Wickramasinghe, followed by former off-spinner Jeryl Woutersz and a first-class all-rounder in the form of Sajith Fernando.

Earlier, former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya was at the helm of the committee before stepping down from his post alongside his members during the recently concluded series.

On the other side, Virat Kohli-led India claimed the Test series 3-0 followed by One-day Internationals 5-0 and went on to wrap the full-fledged series by winning solitary T20.

The visitors are scheduled to face Pakistan, in the two Tests, five-match ODI series and three Twenty20 fixtures, as the third T20I is subjected to security after being slated for October 29 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Before the limited-edition, the Lanka side will depart from Colombo Airport on September 24 (September).

The struggling Sri Lanka saw as many as five different skippers in the bilateral competition, and they are scheduled to arrive in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to start the proceeding on a good note. In July, this year, the downfall of the Sri Lanka began when they lost the ODI series 3-2 at home against Zimbabwe, before winning a solitary Test by four wickets.

Soon after the humiliating 50-over loss against Graeme Cremer-led African side, all-rounder Angelo Mathews broke his silence by stepping down from all formats of the game, as he suggested to focus on his fitness and represent country while giving his hundred percent.