Karunaratne back as captain for ODIs

As many as 10 players opted out of Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan last year, the last time they played ODI cricket, and Sri Lanka have included many of them in a strong squad led by Dimuth Karunaratne, who was one of the players to withdraw, for the three-ODI series against West Indies starting Saturday.

The 15-man squad also sees the return of Niroshan Dickwella, who last played an ODI in March 2019 before being dropped for the home games against Bangladesh in July. He also chose not to travel to Pakistan, as did Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews, all now back in the squad.

Danushka Gunathilaka was the only big name to miss out on selection, an injury forcing the selectors to turn to Shehan Jayasuriya.

Lahiru Thirimanne had led Sri Lanka in the ODIs in Pakistan, but he was not picked for the upcoming games after scoring 36 and 0 in the two completed games in Karachi, both of which Sri Lanka lost. Minod Bhanuka, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Angelo Perera were some of the younger players who made the trip to Pakistan but missed out this time with the return of the high-profile players.

On the whole the squad sees no major surprises. The batting line-up more or less picks itself with the likes of Karunaratne, Avishka Fernando, Kusal’s Perera and Mendis, Angelo Mathews, and Dhananjaya De Silva the likely top six. 

Arguably the only point of contention might be the exclusion of Asela Gunaratne, who has impressed domestically in recent times, and had also chipped in with a swift half century for a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in a warm-up game against the West Indies earlier in the week. 

Gunaratne, 34, had been a revelation following his debut in 2016, going on to have a breakout season the following year, most notably starring in a historic T20 series win in South Africa. In 2017, he was also named the country’s Most Promising Cricketer at the annual SLC awards. However after suffering an injury at the start of 2018, he found himself out of the thoughts of the selectors for much of the year, and despite returning to the national fold at the start of 2019 he struggled with form. 

Veteran opener Upul Tharanga, who had also impressed in the warm-up game against the West Indies scoring a match winning 120, was another who missed out, but Sri Lanka’s selectors assured both Gunaratne and Tharanga, as well as other fringe players, that opportunities would present themselves provided performance levels were maintained.

“Whoever misses out, it doesn’t mean they’re not good enough to play for the national side,” SLC Chief Selector Ashantha De Mel told Daily FT. “But it’s a difficult balance to give players a prolonged run in the side, while at the same time giving fringe players a chance. “In the end these are decisions that are not just taken by the selectors, but also the coaches and captain.” 

In terms of the bowling department, the seam pair of Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara are supplemented by a combination of all-round options, with Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Shehan Jayasuriya all capable with both bat and ball. The only specialist spinner in the squad is Lakshan Sandakan.

The three ODIs will be played on 22 and 26 February and 1 March in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele respectively, before the teams contest two T20Is.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, and Lahiru Kumara.