Karunaratne to lead Sri Lanka in World Cup

Sri Lanka's test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has been appointed the skipper for the one-day squad for the upcoming World Cup, the country's cricket board announced on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old will lead the team while playing his first one-day game since 2015.

Karunaratne's leadership was praised after Sri Lanka won a two-match series against South Africa in February to become the first Asian team to win a test series in the African nation.

Dimuth Karunaratne. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Files/Reuters

Sri Lanka Cricket said Karunaratne's appointment was ratified by the Minister of Sports Harin Fernando.

Karunaratne has not played a one day international since the 2015 World Cup, but was tipped to take over from fast bowler Lasith Malinga who led the side in a 5-0 thrashing in the ODI series against South Africa following the test triumph.

He also answered his critics with a string a impressive performances with the bat during the recent domestic one-day tournament, scoring 165 runs in four matches at an average of 55.

The left-handed opening batsman has played 60 tests and 17 one-day games for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka named the following 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales:

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhanajaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana