Angelo Mathews returns to Sri Lanka’s white-ball arrange after greater than two years, whereas Kusal Perera is ready to play for the primary time in over a 12 months. Each gamers have been a part of the ODI and T20I squads Sri Lanka Cricket have chosen for the upcoming sequence in New Zealand.
Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Nuwan Thushara and Jeffrey Vandersay missed out from the squad that toured India in January.
Mathews and Perera’s inclusions observe an abysmal ODI tour of India earlier this 12 months, following which there have been calls to select extra seniors in a World Cup 12 months.
Perera’s recall comes regardless of him not having performed a lot following 16 months of restoration from a shoulder harm. Although Sri Lanka may think about him as a possible possibility for the ODI World Cup in India in October and November, he’s solely a part of the T20 squad at current to handle his workload.
Mathews has not turned out for the white-ball sides since Sri Lanka toured the West Indies in March 2021. His most up-to-date limited-overs expertise got here in two video games for Sri Lanka A towards England Lions by which he scored a fifty, and the Lanka Premier League, the place he struck 201 runs at a mean of 40.20 for the Colombo Stars. Whereas he has improved his health over the previous 12 months, he isn’t seen as a persistently dependable seam-bowling possibility.
Arachchige
additionally had a powerful outing towards the Lions, scoring vital cameos from the decrease order whereas
additionally choosing up wickets along with his offbreaks. Nuwanidu too impressed towards Lions, placing two 50-plus scores, whereas he
additionally recorded a fifty towards India to spherical off a strong run of kind that began with the LPL. Croospulle and Nuwanidu are a part of the T20I squad, whereas Arachchige will play within the ODIs.
Amongst most high-profile exclusion is that of Avishka, who had lately returned to the nationwide setup for the India tour on the again of a powerful LPL, the place he completed because the event’s prime scorer. He additionally made 67 and 150 within the latest NSL 4-day event. Nonetheless, a poor exhibiting in India mixed with sub-par outings towards Lions – to not point out stiff competitors for top-order locations – signifies that the selectors have been left with little selection however to omit him.
Rajapaksa’s omission is much less vexing, with the batter in latest months a shadow of the participant that was voted Participant of the Match within the 2022 Asia Cup closing.
How the remainder of the squads form up
The remainder of Sri Lanka’s squad appears to be like comparatively settled. Either side will probably be captained by Dasun Shanaka, with the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Chamika Karunaratne making up a bulk of the batting in each white-ball groups.
Karunaratne, who additionally bowls seam, is a part of a tempo unit that features Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan and Pathirana – all of whom have been named in each squads. Dushmantha Chameera had initially been earmarked to play, however the selectors are managing his sport time as a consequence of his historical past of harm points.
“The bowler won’t be able to tour, as he’s nonetheless present process his structured return-to-play program, part of his rehabilitation program, following his left ankle surgical procedure,” SLC mentioned. Madushan has taken his place within the T20I facet, whereas Pathirana replaces him within the ODI squad.
Thushara, although, may depend himself a unfortunate, having not performed a sport towards India regardless of a strong LPL. Sri Lanka are spoilt for selection within the seam-bowling division, and in Pathirana they have already got one other slinger who presents a bit extra tempo.
There are not any surprises among the many spinners with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana joined by the younger allrounder Dunith Wellalage. Vandersay misses out by advantage of Sri Lanka not needing an additional spin possibility in New Zealand.
Sri Lanka will play three ODIs and three T20Is towards New Zealand, with the ODI leg beginning on March 25 in Auckland. The T20Is will start on April 2.
T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Lasith Croospulle, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan.
ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana.
