Ceylon UK, the leading Sri Lankan community news paper in the UK requests all the Sri Lankan cricket fans to support Sri Lankan lions at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in the UK. The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is scheduled to start on June 1 (today) and ending on June 18 in England and Wales when the finalists face off at The KIA Oval on Sunday 18th in London.

The top eight One-Day International sides in the world will get together for the 8th ICC Champions. Sri Lanka team for the Champions Trophy is led by National Captain Angelo Mathews and will be comprised of the following players:

1. Angelo Mathews – Captain, 2. Upul Tharanga – Vice Captain, 3. Niroshan Dickwella, 4. Kusal Janith Perera, 5. Kusal Mendis, 6. Chamara Kapugedera, 7. Asela Gunaratne, 8. Dinesh Chandimal, 9. Lasith Malinga, 10. Suranga Lakmal, 11. Nuwan Pradeep, 12. Nuwan Kulasekera, 13. Thisara Perera, 14. Lakshan Sandakan, 15. Seekkuge Prasanna (Standby on Tour: 16. Dilruwan Perera 17. Dhanushka Gunathilaka) The following five (5) players have been selected as standby, will be in continuous training in Colombo for substitution should the need arise.18. Vikum Sanjaya, 19. Lahiru Kumara, 20. Sachith Pathirana, 21. Milinda Siriwardena, 22. Akila Dananjaya.

Sri Lanka is playing against South Africa and India on Saturday 03rd and Thursday 8th June respectively at KIA Oval in London and Monday 12th June at Cardiff Sophia Gardens against Pakistan. Before the tournament begins Sri Lanka played two practice matches against Australia (26th May at Oval) and New Zealand (30th May at Edgbaston-Birmingham).

The ICC Champions Trophy is an elite and one of the most awaited tournaments comprising of the top eight Cricketing nations in the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings, come together once again and play for the ultimate glory over a period of two weeks. The tournament is being held after every four years. As per current ICC Rankings, the teams that will participate in the Champions Trophy 2017 tournament are Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan and finally our Lions Sri Lanka. However the biggest shock of the tournament so far is Bangladesh replaces mighty West Indies while there is still no place for the associate teams in this year Champions Trophy edition.

This looks like it could be the most competitive ICC Champions Trophy of all time with little to choose between all eight sides. No game can be taken for granted. Across the board, teams have adopted a more aggressive, fearless approach towards the 50-over game, which has helped bring down the chasm between the teams. On account of the sharp and uncompromising format of the tournament coupled with the qualitative similarity of teams, the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 can be expected to deliver intense competition.

The short and intense nature of the tournament makes it such that there will be high stakes on the outcome of every match with every match absolutely crucial. However talented Sri Lanka team is not in real form in the recent past and experienced players are also in out of form. There are lots of new young players and they are inexperienced to face such aggressive opponents. It’s a huge moral boost to team mates, Sri Lanka Cricket management and fans Captain Angelo Mathews and toe crusher Lasith Malinga are back in the team.

Therefore ‘Ceylon UK’ would like to request all Sri Lankan cricket fans to come and join in support of our ‘Lions’. Support your Cricket heroes.

Meanwhile with the ICC Champions Trophy-2017 on the horizon in the UK, veteran Australian cricketer Shane Watson said; it has made me reflect on all the things that I have always loved about such a special tournament”.

The ICC Champions Trophy in particular is a very cut-throat competition and it is another incredible opportunity as a cricketer to be able to test your skills under serious pressure of matches against the world’s best players and teams. I know all the players really look forward to the ICC tournaments, whether it is the 50 over World Cup, the World T20 or the Champions Trophy. These tournaments have very specific context as there is a champion at the end and there is always so much riding on every single game.

He further said; I have so many memories of the ICC Champions Trophy tournaments that provided significant moments in my international career. The first one was playing in the semi-final against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo as a 21-year-old. I remember the incredible Australian team that I was ridiculously fortunate to be in, had been spun out on a turning track and the noise that the local Sri Lanka crowd made was something that I had never heard before”

Thank you, Mr Watson for your inspirational comments. That was happened in Sri Lanka many years ago. Now we are in England. So Ceylon UK would like to request all Sri Lankan cricket fans to join the crowd and make some noise in support of our Lions.

Buy your tickets in groups in advance before it is too late. Tickets are available online on: https://championstrophy.tickets.icc-cricket.com/

Whatever happens, it’s going to be a memorable tournament, begins on June 1 when England team meets Bangladesh at The KIA Oval.

(Source: ICC Cricket)