The Sri Lanka ODI squad to face South Africa has been announced with drastic changes to the previous squad which toured New Zealand. Lasith Malinga will lead a young and inexperienced side with the assistance of Niroshan Dikwella as his deputy.
In – Upul Tharanga, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Perera, Oshada Fernando, Priyamal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Isuru Udana, Vishwa Fernando
Out – Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asela Gunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara
ODI Uncapped – Oshada Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Priyamal Perera
The ones who have secured their spots from the previous series are captain Lasith Malinga, vice-captain Niroshan Dikwella, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha.
Sri Lanka will be blown away by the huge void left by the former skipper Angelo Mathews, who is still recovering from the injury he suffered in the 2nd test in New Zealand.
Rested test captain Dinesh Chandimal whose ODI captaincy had been stripped off last year, has been ruled out from the ODI squad as well.
Opener Danushka Gunathilaka who witnessed a successful New Zealand tour with the bat before suffering a lower back injury has not recovered yet. Avishka Fernando who has been squeezing runs in the domestic arena and Sri Lanka ‘A’ level will battle it out for the openers slot to accompany Niroshan Dikwella against the veteran Upul Tharanga who has been recalled after a few months.
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Uncapped batsman Priyamal Perera who completed 1000 runs in the recently concluded Major Tier ‘A’ Competition has earned his maiden national call-up, while ambidextrous spinning all-rounder Kamindu Mendis makes the squad as well after his exceptional performances in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side.
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Recent test call ups, Angelo Perera and Oshada Fernando have been lucky enough to make the cut while all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Seekkuge Prasanna have failed to impress the selectors after a modest tour in New Zealand.
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Spinner Akila Dananjaya has been named in the squad, which suggests that he has been cleared by the ICC for suspect bowling action.
Injured trio, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara are out of the squad to make space for T20 specialist Isuru Udana who had a decent unofficial ODI series vs Ireland ‘A’ and last test wonder Vishwa Fernando who has only played 6 ODIs.
Sadeera Samarawickrama has again faced the wrath of selectors after his solitary failure in the New Zealand T20I.
Sri Lanka have lost 3-0 in the last ODI series against New Zealand though there have been notable performances by Thisara Perera and Kusal Janith Perera.
Sri Lanka ODI squad – Lasith Malinga (Captain), Niroshan Dickwella (Vice-Captain), Upul Tharanga, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Angelo Perera, Priyamal Perera, Oshada Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha
Sri Lanka vs South Africa – ODI Series schedule
- 1st ODI – 3rd March at Johannesburg
- 2nd ODI – 6th March at Centurion
- 3rd ODI – 10th March at Durban
- 4th ODI – 13th March at Port Elizabeth
- 5th ODI – 16th March at Cape Town
