FORMER captain Dasun Shanaka is in line to play his first ODI since January 2024 after earning a recall to the squad for Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of England.
Shanaka and uncapped leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage are the two new inclusions in the ODI setup, while pacers Milan Rathnayake and Pramod Madushan have been omitted from the squad that clinched a rain-affected three-match ODI series 1-0 in the Caribbean in June.
Shanaka’s return bolsters Sri Lanka’s middle-order with much-needed experience in the lead-up to next year’s ODI World Cup. He has played 71 ODIs, leading Sri Lanka in 43 of them, although he will look to improve upon a middling batting average of 22.39 in the format.
Sri Lanka squad for England ODIs: Kusal Mendis (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Meanwhile, another former captain’s return headlines Sri Lanka’s contingent for the T20I leg of the tour. Charith Asalanka, who was omitted from the squad for the T20Is against West Indies, has earned a recall following a successful Lanka Premier League campaign. Asalanka tallied 385 runs at an average of 38.50 and a strike-rate of 153.38 and struck four half-centuries for eventual champions Galle Gallants. He has also been appointed the vice-captain of the side for the entirety of the tour, with Kusal Mendis continuing to captain the squads.
Lahiru Udara, who topped the run-charts in the LPL with 434 runs, has been included in the T20 squad. His lone T20I came in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Meanwhile, all-rounder Janith Liyanage and ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake have also been called up, while Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka have been dropped from the touring party to the Caribbean.
Sri Lanka squad for England T20Is: Kusal Mendis (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando
Sri Lanka’s tour of England commences on September 15 with the three-match T20I series to be played in Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester. The three ODIs are scheduled to be held in Chester-le-Street, Leeds and The Oval, with the first of those to be played on September 22. (Cricbuzz)