The opener Danushka Gunathilaka has been recalled to the Sri Lankan 20-member squad for the Australian five-match T20 series which is scheduled to commence on February 11. The selection committee has named a 20 member squad while they have already appointed promising all-rounder Charith Asalanka as deputy skipper of the team.
The 30-year-old left hand opener Gunathilaka who played his last T20 at the England series dropped in last June once again recalled to the squad. He already played 30 T-20’s and 44 ODIs. The aggressive opener Gunathilaka performed really well at the recently concluded LPL tournament playing for the Galle Gladiators team. Wanindu Hasaranga the ICC T-20 rank number one bowler couldn’t play the last Zimbabwe series due to hamstring injury and once again recalled to the side after a recovery period. Both Gunathilaka and Hasanaga have passed the fitness test before considering the selections. The experienced Dinesh Chandimal once again ensured his place as wicketkeeper/batter while Kusal Mendis is also named as a wicket-keeper/batter for the side. The 23-year-old Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka will be the top two batters of the side while Asalanka has extra responsibility with deputy skipper post to groom for the leadership in future and this is a brave decision by the selectors. The top order batter Avishka Fernando who was tested positive for COVID-19 missed the last Zimbabwe series, once again enter the squad with his form, and Sri Lankan top order batting will be more strengthened by adding Gunathilaka and Fernando to the squad.
Meanwhile, selectors once again are more concerned about youngsters. Janith Liyanage and Kamil Mishara both have been named for last Zimbabwe series but finally, both of them tested positive for COVID-19 at the last moment. However, once again both players got a chance to enter the squad while leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who has performed well during the last Zimbabwe ODI series has called for the Australian series with spinners Praveen Jayawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana and Ramesh Mendis.
Lahiru Kumara who also tested positive for COVID-19 once again named with paceman Dushmantha Chameera and Shiran Fernando while two bowling all-rounders skipper Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne also strengthen the pace attack. Meanwhile Nuwan Pradeep the experienced paceman couldn’t find the places as he was not up to the expectations during recent matches.
According to reliable sources, two experienced players, Kusal Janith Perera and Angelo Mathews still not fully recovered from their injuries with Bhanuka Rajapaksa the hard hitting batter were not able to pass the fitness test to consider for the selections.
The Sri Lankan cricket team is scheduled to leave on February third for the five match series which will be played on February 11, 13, 15, 18 and 20 in three venues Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Rumesh Ratnayake was appointed as the interim coach of the National team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour of Australia. He was appointed by the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket. However, Ratnayake will not travel to Australia with the team but will join before the 1st T20I game, as he is currently in self-isolation having tested positive for COVID-19. SLC is also expected to name a permanent head coach for the next Indian series which will commence from the last week of February.
Meanwhile according to an SLC source, former England first class cricketer Paul Farbrace is reported to be the finalised candidate to be appointed as Sri Lanka’s Head Coach for a two year stint. The former Sri Lanka and England assistant coach is likely to take up the new role, if final round negotiations conclude successfully. In addition former Sri Lanka cricketer Naveed Nawaz’s name has been finalized for the role of assistant coach for the national team. If Nawaz accepts the role, he has to let go of his current coaching stint as Bangladesh U-19 coach.
Sri Lanka cricket squad for the Australian series (Subject to Ministerial Approval): Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando
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