World T20 News

Darren Bravo returns for World T20

Batsman Darren Bravo and allrounder Andre Russell have returned to the West Indies squad for the World Twenty20 to be played in Sri Lanka. Bravo had to return to the West Indies from the tour of England after suffering a groin injury and missed the home series against New Zealand as a result. Russell had missed the T20 leg of the series against New Zealand in Florida due to an injury he had picked up in England, but played the ODI series in the Caribbean thereafter. The remainder of the squad, led by Darren Sammy with Dwayne Bravo as his deputy, is the same as the one picked against New Zealand in Florida. West Indies won that series 2-0. In addition to Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, two power-players in the batting line-up, the squad also features opener Lendl Simmons and top-order batsman Johnson Charles, who's played six T20s for West Indies, averaging 29.66. Fidel Edwards, Ravi Rampaul and Russell comprise the pace attack with Dwayne Bravo, Pollard, Sammy and Dwayne Smith also available to bowl medium-pace. Sunil Narine, who played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders winning the fifth season of the IPL and picked up seven wickets in the two T20 wins against New Zealand, has legspinner Samuel Badree for company in the spin department. Badree made his international debut in the New Zealand series. West Indies play their first warm-up, against hosts Sri Lanka, on September 13. Their first game of the tournament is against Australia on September 22. West Indies squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Dwayne Bravo (vice-capt), Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

Rookie spinner Dananjaya gets World T20 call-up

Akila Dananjaya has been named in Sri Lanka's squad for the World Twenty20, following four impressive performances for Wayamba United in the ongoing Sri Lanka Premier League. Another uncapped player, opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera, has been picked and Ajantha Mendis has earned a recall. Mendis has not played for Sri Lanka since January after suffering a back injury. Dananjaya, 18, had never played professional cricket prior to the SLPL, nor was he picked for the U-19 side currently competing in the World Cup in Australia. He had been selected in the preliminary 30-man squad solely on the recommendation of captain Mahela Jayawardene, who had faced him at Sri Lanka's net session. Dananjaya has taken seven wickets at the SLPL, at an average of 11 and an economy rate of 4.81. Munaweera was picked despite not being named in the preliminary list. Renowned as a clean hitter on the domestic circuit, he showed glimpses of that power in the SLPL, but has a highest score of 36 in his four innings in the tournament so far Mendis, though, has been impressive in the SLPL. He has nine wickets at an average of 14.11 in four matches. A fractured finger during the ODI series against India last month had ruled out Kumar Sangakkara for four to six weeks and his selection in the 15 remains subject to his recovery in time for the competition. Likewise with seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who suffered a groin injury in July. There is no room in the side for batsman Upul Tharanga, who played in the Twenty20 against India earlier this month, despite scores of 65 not out and 48 for his franchise. Chamara Kapugedara, who hit a match-winning 69 from 39 balls for Uthura Rudras on Tuesday also missed out. Sri Lanka play their first warm-up ahead of the World T20 against West Indies on September 13. Their first game of the tournament is against Zimbabwe on September 18. Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Dilshan Munaweera, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Shaminda Eranga, Akila Dhanajaya.

 ICC disburses $2.5m to Sri Lanka

ICC disburses $2.5m to Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Cricket has received $2.5 million from the ICC, to help with the costs of hosting the World Twenty20 that begins on September 18, a board official has said. The $2.5 million includes a string-free grant of $500,000 and a loan of $1 million, as well as $1 million advance payment for ticket sales. The ICC has also guaranteed the SLC an additional $1 million in ticket sales, which will be paid after the tournament ends. The money will be used to upgrade facilities at the Hambantota, Pallekele and R Premadasa stadiums, where the World Twenty20 matches will be held. "We requested the money to make up the shortfall we were expecting for the tournament," SLC treasurer Nuski Mohamed said. "The money will pay for new equipment that will be used for the World T20 and beyond." The required equipment includes new pitch covers, supersoppers and rollers, which had been transported in between venues during previous tournaments but cannot be moved from place to place during the World Twenty20 due to the hectic match schedule. "We want to make each venue self-sufficient," Mohamed said. The $2 million for ticket sales is expected to be more than what the heavily-indebted SLC would have received, had no guarantee been put in place, Mohamed said. "The ICC doesn't want the ticket prices to be high, that's why they've made this guarantee. I don't think the ticket sales will be $2 million, so we've got a good deal." He added that the loan of $1 million does not have to paid until 2015 and that it has not been borrowed against any collateral. SLC had requested the funds at the annual ICC's annual conference in Malaysia in June, and had their application approved over the past month. Mohamed said the deal was not facilitated by newly-appointed SLC advisor and former ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, though the request had been made in the last few days of Lorgat's tenure at the ICC. The costs of building two new stadiums in Hambantota and Pallekele and conducting extensive renovations to the R Premadasa Stadium were the main contributors to the SLC's debt of almost $70 million following the World Cup in 2011. Sri Lanka cricketers went unpaid for eight months last year, and were only paid their dues by the board after the state-owned Bank of Ceylon released 600 million rupees (approx US$5.07 million) to the board. Twenty-seven matches have been scheduled for the World T20, which will be played over three weeks. Hambantota will host three matches, Pallekele will host nine, and the remaining 15 are set to be played in Colombo.