Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Perera have been dropped from Sri Lanka’s ODI team for the Zimbabwe series.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Perera have been dropped from Sri Lanka’s ODI team for the Zimbabwe series
For the three-match home series against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka’s new selection committee has made eight changes to the side that finished second from bottom at the ODI World Cup.
Along with Chamika Karunaratne and Angelo Matthews. The team also includes Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha.
Wanindu Hasaranga, the team’s premier spin-bowling all-rounder, returned (subject to fitness) with the signings of Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige.
Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Akila Dananjaya have all been included to the ODI team. Which is led by newly appointed captain Kusal Mendis.
Dhananjaya had a disastrous World Cup, averaging only 20 with the bat at a strike rate of 76.08. And going wicketless at an economy rate of over seven.
Vandersay last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in early 2023, and Akila Dananjaya hasn’t played for the country since 2021.
Meanwhile, the addition of Avishka Fernando to the batting lineup improves it. With the right-hander likely to accompany the solid Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order.
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Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka, the new vice-captain, will comprise the middle order.
The first of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) will be played in Colombo on Saturday, January 6, with three T20Is following.
Sri Lanka’s One-Day International squad for the Zimbabwe series
Kusal Mendis (capt.), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka;
Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, and Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness).