The Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) has picked a pool of 20 players to prepare them for the World Cup 2023 to be held in July in Cape Town, South Africa.
This will be the new coach Thilaka Jinadasa’s first assignment with the national pool and the World Cup will be a tough one as most of the leading netball teams will be in action.
After having won the Asian Championship last year Sri Lanka should not be too complacent and work very hard in the World Stage. It must be remembered that most of the teams entering the World Cup will be in their best display.
Teams from Australia, England, Wales and Jamaica will field strong teams. However, Sri Lanka possess top names in the game like Tharjini Sivalingam considered the tallest player in the world, Chathurangi Jayasooriya, Dulangi Wannithilake, Gayanjali Amarawansa, Semini Alwis who can counter the taller and experience opponents they will face.
The 20 member pool will be reduced to a dozen players who will embark to South Africa.
Sri Lanka are slotted in Group ‘C’ along with Jamaica, host South Africa and Wales. The Asian Champions will begin their campaign against Jamaica on July 28 followed by South Africa on 29th and Wales on 30th.
20 Member pool and their positions:
Thisala Algama GS, GK, Semini Alwis GA, GS, WA, Shanika Perera GS, GK, Hansima Dissanayake GA, WA, WD, Imasha Perera GA, GS, Gayanjali Amarawansa C, WA, Rashmi Perera WA, C, GA, Rukshala Hapuarachchi C, WD, WA, Parami Kodithuwakku C, WA, Chamudi Wickramaratne WD, C, Dulangi Wannithilake WA, GA, Malmi Hettiarachchi WD, GD, C, Tharushi Navodya WA GA, Gayani Dissanayake GK GD, Chathurangi Jayasooriya GD, GK, Dulanjali Suraweera WD, GD, WA, Gayathri Kaushalya WD, GD, Ishani Madushika WD, GD, Tharjini Sivalingam GS and Bashini Yoshitha GD, WD. (TBR)