The official Sri Lanka World Cup team Jersey for 2019 was unveiled yesterday by SLC with the partnership of MAS Holdings and it has dug up many memories from the country’s previous appearances at the World Cup. We take you back with Sri Lanka’s World Cup kits throughout the years.
Sri Lanka unveil ‘Eco-Friendly’ World Cup jersey
Sri Lanka unveiled their ‘Eco-Friendly’ playing jersey and training kit for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019…….
1975-1987 – White Jerseys
Players wore white jerseys in the first 4 World Cups. The “coloured jerseys” first featured in a World Cup in 1992.
1992 – Light Blue
Countries were allowed to wear coloured jerseys for the first time in World Cups in 1992 and every country had to follow the same template with different colours pertaining to their nation.
Sri Lanka were in light blue (Sapphire Blue) under the captaincy of Aravinda De Silva in Australia & New Zealand.
The tournament wasn’t a good one for the island as they lost 5 of the 8 matches in the first round.
But the 92’ Sri Lankan team put a record win against Zimbabwe (becoming the first team to chase 300+ in ODIs) to make the jersey a memorable souvenir.
1996 – Blue with yellow stripes
The historic year of 1996, the Lankan World Cup jersey were again under the same concept as 1992 – Same design with relevant colours to represent each individual country.
Sri Lanka rocked a navy-blue kit under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga who eventually guided Sri Lanka to the championship.
They wore it with pride back in 1996 and made sure that pride will prevail in the years to come with their historic win for all of Sri Lanka.
1999 – Regal Lion
The 1999 World Cup will not be remembered well among Sri Lankans for their team’s performances but will hold its own with the jersey they wore.
What you see is a full blown lion in the major part of the jersey just like the flag of Sri Lanka.
Unfortunately, we were deprived of seeing this jersey more as Sri Lanka couldn’t go past the group stage in this tournament. The kit will be remembered as the last national colours (in ODIs) under the greatest captain Sri Lanka has ever produced; Arjuna Ranatunga.
Photos: Partnering Sri Lanka’s Cricket World Cup Campaign 2019
2003 – Plain Blue/Yellow Jersey
The 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya is where Sri Lanka found their groove again in World Tournaments. Since then, Sri Lanka has never failed to make it into the knock out stages at the World Cup.
A Sanath Jayasuriya led Sri Lankan team were lucky enough to wear the signature blue/yellow jersey which we last saw in the semifinal versus Australia where Aravinda de Silva retired from the profession.
2007 – Blue Lion
The 2007 Caribbean World Cup was one of the most memorable tournaments Sri Lanka ever had; so is its jersey.
This was a favorite national jersey among all the jerseys and the team have done justice for the design by becoming the runners-up of the tournament, losing the final to the mighty Australians.
Lasith Malinga’s 4 in 4, Sanath Jayasuriya’s brutal centuries, Muttaih Muralitharan’s crafty bowling and Mahela Jayawardene’s magical innings in the semifinal have made this jersey an all-star exhibit.
FAQs – Sri Lanka CWC19 squad edition
2011 – Plain Blue/Yellow Jersey (Again)
This one almost made it happen for Sri Lanka; Every Sri Lankan dreamt of Kumar Sangakkara wearing this jersey and lifting that prestigious trophy above his head on April 01st 2015, the day before the final.
This jersey was featured in 9 matches and only 2 losses including the World Cup final at Wankhede stadium.
This kit will always be honored as the last Sri Lankan colours on legendary spin master, Muttiah Muralitharan.
2015 – A Lion on Shoulder
The 2015 World Cup jersey was one of the most futuristic designs a Sri Lankan side ever wore. Angelo Mathews was the lucky chap to guide the team with different shades of blue on his chest in Australia and New Zealand.
The team wore this for 7 matches and lost 3 of them including the encounters against the eventual finalists of the tournament. The journey ended in the quarter final match versus South Africa.
This kit will be always remembered for Kumar Sangakkara’s four consecutive centuries.
2019 – The Turtle, Sea & Beach
For 2019, The national Sri Lankan Jersey was made from recycled plastic sea waste from the Sri Lankan coast with the help of the Sri Lankan Navy to drive an important concept of environmental conservation.
The design includes three turtles in sea (Light blue) heading to the beach (Yellow) to raise awareness of the fight against ocean pollution. The jersey looks glamorous as ever.
The Lion is placed on the shoulder just like 2015 one. With luck on their side, fans will get to see their team wearing this proudly on July 14 at Lord’s with the Trophy in their hands.
[socialpoll id=”2548854″]
