Sri Lanka will be fielding four new faces in the national jersey at the 1st leg of the Asia Sevens Series while former skipper Danushka Ranjan has been ruled of the Sudarshana Muthuthanthtri led team that will take flight to Hong Kong in September.
Muthuthanthri re-appointed Tuskers skipper
The Sri Lanka Tuskers will have a new captain going to the Asia Sevens Series 2017..
Experienced campaigners Richard Dharmapala, Srinath Sooriyabandara & Anurudhdha Wilwara have been ruled out of the series due to injury whereas veteran player Fazil Marija has opted not to play this year’s series due to personal commitments.
Danushka Ranjan is yet to recover from a shoulder injury and has not been included in the touring squad.
Read about Fazil Marija’s omission: Marija sits out of Asia Sevens Series
Skipper Sudarshana Muthuthanthri will be leading a new-look Sri Lanka outfit and will stand with the bold decision to include new faces based on their recent form in the shorter format.
Also Read: Altitude training help Tuskers prepare for Asia Sevens
Sri Lanka’s Under 20 Sevens skipper and former Thomian captain Naveen Henakankanamage is set to make his debut in the national sevens jersey, after having represented the 7s teams in the schools arena, Super 7’s, Mercantile and Sri Lanka U20’s.
Read More: Four U20 players in Sri Lanka Sevens squad
Along with Naveen, speedster Buddhima Piyarthane has also gotten the nod after having a successful run in the U20’s and the concluded Super 7’s.
Havelock SC scrum-half and former Isipathana player Sudam Sooriyarachchi gets a long-awaited call-up into the national sevens set-up as well. He was a stand out for Havelock SC in this year’s Inter Club Sevens and later represented EZY Wolves who were winners of the Colombo leg of the Sri Lanka Super 7’s.
Navy and KBSL player Samith Dananjaya is the other debutant in the side. Having a successful 2017 season, the youngster has shown his worth and will make the 12 member squad.
Sri Lanka will rely on the experience of Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Jason Dissanayake and Kavindu Perera. The Tuskers will also have the returning players Omalka Gunarathane and Tarinda Ratwatte in the squad ahead of the 1st leg.
The Twelve Member Squad will be as follows:
1. Sudarshana Muthuthanthri
2. Sudam Sooriyaarachchi
3. Jason Dissanayake
4. Omalka Gunarathane
5. Naveen Henakankanamage
6. Tarinda Ratwatte
7. Kavindu Perera
8. Danush Dayan
9. Buddhima Piyarathane
10. Hirantha Perera
11. Chanaka Chandimal
12. Samith Dananjaya
Stand-by:
• Supun Dilshan
• Rehan Silva
• Kevin Dixon
• Danushka Ranjan
The team coached by Peter Woods is set to leave the island on the 29th of August 2017.
