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Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Two of the three players suspended for breaking COVID-19 protocols in England – Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis – have been included in Sri Lanka’s 20-member squad named for the five-match T20 International series starting in Australia next month. Wicket-keeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella, the third player whose one-year international suspension was lifted along with Gunathilaka and Mendis early this month finds himself unlucky to be left out with the wicket-keeping duties to be shared by Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal.
Dickwella was initially not considered for selection for the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe but was brought into the squad as cover for Minod Bhanuka when he was injured. However, Kusal Mendis was asked to keep wickets and open the batting for the series.
Also returning to the squad after missing out on the Zimbabwe series for reasons ranging from injuries, being tested COVID-19-positive and fitness issues are Wanindu Hasaranga, Binura Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Janith Liyanage, and Lahiru Kumara.
Missing out from the line-up that took part in the T20 World Cup in UAE are Dhananjaya de Silva who went as vice-captain to Dasun Shanaka but didn’t play a single match, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, a T20 specialist who was part of Sri Lanka’s middle order batting during the T20 World Cup, Kusal Perera who opened the batting and kept wickets, and Akila Dananjaya who didn’t appear in any of the matches.
Rajapaksa may have ruined his chances of selection after first announcing his retirement from international cricket and then making a U-turn and reversing his decision after a meeting with the Sports Minister. Fitness concerns, which have been an issue with Rajapaksa, may have also been a factor for his exclusion. De Silva, although selected for the Zimbabwe series, was granted paternity leave, but since has returned to play competitive cricket where he is leading Jaffna in the ongoing National Super League Limited Over tournament.
There was no place for Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Minod Bhanuka and Chamika Gunasekara (all injured), and Nuwan Pradeep and Kamindu Mendis (both not considered). Kamindu Mendis played in all three ODIs against Zimbabwe, where as a makeshift no. 3, he made his maiden half-century in the second match in a 118-run stand with his captain Dasun Shanaka.
Selection for the T20I series against Australia has largely been based on the performances of the players in the second edition of the Lanka Premier League, which is now considered a benchmark for national selection. Several of the players have made it to the squad on the back of good performances in the LPL.
Avishka Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga were automatic selections, although they performed well in the LPL. Kusal Mendis was the leading run-getter of the tournament (327 runs, strike rate 148.63); along with him Chandimal (277 runs, s/r 150.54), and Danushka Gunathilaka (226 runs, s/r 129.88). In the bowling, Maheesh Theekshana was the leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets (economy rate 6.87), Nuwan Thushara, fourth highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets, (e/r 8.11) and Jeffrey Vandersay (11 wickets, e/r 7.31) caught the eyes of the selectors. Leg-spinner Vandersay, who had a good finish in the LPL, made a comeback to international cricket after three years in the series against Zimbabwe where he played an integral part in Sri Lanka’s 2-1 victory, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with nine wickets (avg. 11.66). His performances have been recognised by the national selectors who have given him an extended run by including him for the Australian tour.
Kamil Mishara and Janith Liyanage, both selected for the Zimbabwe series but had to miss out after being tested COVID-19-positive, have been included. The 26-year-old Liyanage was picked largely on his performance with the bat for Dambulla Giants, where in his four appearances he scored two fifties and was named Emerging Player of the Tournament. 20-year-old left-hander Mishara, who did not play a match in the LPL for Kandy Warriors, is a surprise pick.
Thirteen of the 17 players named for the ODI series against Zimbabwe have been retained with Shanaka continuing as white-ball captain for both formats (ODI and T20I). Charith Asalanka, who is being groomed as a future leader, has been named vice-captain.
The squad comprises of four uncapped players Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Nuwan Thushara and Shiran Fernando.
Rumesh Ratnayake and Chandima Mapatuna have been retained as Interim Head Coach and Interim Manager respectively for the Australian tour. Ratnayake however will join the team only before the first T20I on 11 February as he is currently in self-isolation having been tested positive for COVID-19.
Sri Lanka will play five T20Is against Australia on 11 and 13 February at Sydney, 15 February at Canberra, and 18 and 20 February at Melbourne.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad for Australia:
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, and Shiran Fernando.
