Chandimal to lead SL Board President’s XI vs. South Africa today

Wednesday, 17 July 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dinesh Chandimal will captain the Sri Lankan Board President’s XI against the touring South Africans on Wednesday, ahead of what may be his first match as ODI captain against South Africa on Saturday. As the vice-captain of the national team, he could be in line to take the reins from Angelo Mathews, who has been suspended from the first two ODIs courtesy an over-rate offence.

Chandimal is Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 captain, but his ODI form has been poor in the last 16 months; he has averaged 18.19 and hit only two fifties in 28 matches. He was dropped from the limited-overs sides during the latter part of 2012, though he retained his place in the national squad, and has been granted an extended run in the XI after assuming the vice-captaincy in February. Although he is viewed as a future leader, a promotion to acting captain may not be automatic, in light of recent results. Both Dimuth Karunaratne, and Angelo Perera, who are in contention for ODI debuts in the series, will also play in the warm-up match, as will Thisara Perera, who was dropped from the national squad for the West Indies tri-series. South Africa will play five ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals during their three-week tour. President’s XI squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Mahela Udawatte, Angelo Perera, Sachithra Serasinghe, Chaturanga de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Vimukthi Perera, Madura Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ashan Priyanjan.