ICC World Cup 2019: Sri Lanka\'s Kusal Perera available for selection

Mumbai: Sri Lanka's left-handed batsman Kusal Perera will be available for the World Cup selection.

The Ashantha de Mel-led selection committee received this good news from physio Paul Khoury on Tuesday.

The three-day process of debating the World Cup squad began on Tuesday when all selectors met the physio in the morning and the chief selector also met the president Shammi Silva in the afternoon to decide on sending the extra players.

"Perera is undergoing the treatment for his hamstring injury but our physio is hopeful for his total recovery before the commencement of the tournament", one of the selectors, said to this Reporter.

In March, Perera was ruled out of the remaining matches on South Africa tour following a hamstring tear in Durban.

Selectors have sought inputs (via e mails) from the Head Coach Chanika Hathurusingha. Hathu, arriving in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. He was holidaying in Australia and followed the Provincial Tournament from there. He is not a part of the selection committee though.

New policy

Sri Lankan selectors will follow the Cricket Australia (CA) policy, where the team is chosen first and then the captain is selected.

"On Thursday, we are selecting the preliminary squad first and then the captain. Will pick 15 players first and then the captain will be chosen among them. The captain will be called for deliberation only thereafter", he emphasized.

Captain is a member of the selection committee.

De Mel also denied both the media reports stating that (1) Mathews has denied the captaincy (2) Malinga has insisted to be in the squad only, if he is made the captain.

"We are in the process of discussing with the possible candidates. Have not spoken to them yet", he concluded.