Niroshan Dickwella cleared to play all forms of cricket

Sri Lanka’s keeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, who was banned from all forms of cricket for three years after anti-doping allegations, has been given the all clear to play all formats of the sport. He was handed the suspension in August 2024 by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) after testing positive for a prohibited substance after a random doping test.

Dickwella appealed against the decision and submitted the evidence that proved that he did not consume any prohibited substances during the "competition period" and that the substance used was not the performance-enhancing kind. 

After a successful appeal, Dickwella’s ban was eventually lifted. His last international appearance for Sri Lanka came in March 2023, when he was a part of Sri Lanka’s XI in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. He has played 54 Tests, 55 ODIs and 28 T20Is for Sri Lanka with 4841 runs in his international career.

Also Read: Niroshan Dickwella suspended from all forms of cricket for anti-doping violation

Sri Lanka set to take on New Zealand in a white-ball series 

As for Sri Lanka, the team is all set to face off against New Zealand in a white-ball series as the two teams will play three T20Is and as many ODI matches, starting with the T20I series.

The first two T20Is will be played at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on December 28 and 30 while the final T20I will be at the Saxton Oval, Nelson, on January 2. After the three T20I matches, both sides will lock horns across three ODI matches, which will be played in Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland on January 5, 8, and 11. 

Both teams will hope to put in their best performances in the white-ball series as they gear up their preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.