Sri Lanka' s national cricket selectors have included Jeevantha Kulathunga in the 30-man probable squad for the forthcoming ICC WC T20 tournament scheduled to be held in the West Indies from 30th April to 16th May.  A media release from Sri Lanka Cricket said on Thursday that “Jeevantha was included into the squad considering his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Bank of Ceylon inter provincial T/20 tournament.”

Jeevantha who represented Wayamba aggregated 277 runs in six innings which included his highest score of an unbeaten 104, the fastest T/20 century recorded in Sri Lanka.

Jeevantha recorded the best batting average of 69.25 and a strike rate of 152.19. He was later adjudged the most outstanding player of the tournament.

However, Kulatunga’s inclusion has made Sri Lanka’s squad a 31-member squad though the media release referred to it as a 30-member squad, according SLC Media Manager Brian Thomas.

“Selectors took this decision lately. Then we had to get approval from the ICC for this inclusion. That’s why we had to delay releasing the squad. Though we included Kulathunga, we have not removed any names from the squad” Thomas said.

He also added that ICC had given the green light for the change. “ICC actually is not bothered if name a 30, 31 or even a 50-member squad, because basically we are going to name a final 15-man squad for the tournament.” Described Thomas.

Sri Lanka's 31-man probable squad for the Twenty20 World Cup 2010

Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Thissara Perera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilan Thushara, Chanaka Welagedara, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof, Isuru Udana, Malinga Bandara, Mahela Udawatte, LahiruThirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Kaushal Silva, Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga, Jeewan Mendis, Nuwan Zoysa, Jeevantha Kulatunga.

Source: Dailymirror Online