Saturday, 6 December 2014 00:58
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ESPNCricinfo: Uncapped left-arm chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan has been picked in Sri Lanka’s squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs against England, while seamer Suranga Lakmal rejoins the side after an injury layoff.
Middle-order batsman Ashan Priyanjan also joins the squad proper, having been named as batting cover for the third ODI in Hambantota. He displaces Thilina Kandamby, who collected a duck on Wednesday. Fast bowler Shaminda Eranga is the other player to cut from the squad.
Lakshan Sandakan
Sandakan, 23, is reputed to be an attacking bowler, and had an excellent first-class season with Colombo Cricket Club, topping the wicket-takers’ list with 54 scalps at an average of 19.14. He has only played two List A matches, but averages 22.32 across two first-class seasons.
His relative inexperience in the top domestic competitions has seen him overlooked for all but one Sri Lanka A match, but he has regularly been a net bowler at the national side’s training sessions. Sandakan’s inclusion means Sri Lanka have four frontline spin bowlers in their 16-member squad, as well as legspinning allrounder Jeevan Mendis, and several part-time slow bowlers.
Lakmal had been unavailable for selection since July, when he sustained a stress reaction in the third metatarsal in his left foot during the Tests against South Africa. His return is expected to provide control to Sri Lanka’s seam attack, which struggled in India in the absence of Lasith Malinga, and because of Nuwan Kulasekara’s dip in form. Lakmal effectively replaces Eranga, who had also had mediocre outings in India, though he has not played against England.
Priyanjan, 25, had been dropped from the squad during the India tour, following scores of 12, 1 and 2 in the first three ODIs there. He has two fifties in 19 ODIs since his debut in December 2013.
The fourth ODI is set to take place on Sunday in Colombo. Although the fifth is scheduled to be played in Pallekele on 10 December, persistent bad weather in the Kandy region may prompt a change of venue - though that is yet to be decided.
Lakshan Sandakan
