Sri Lanka announce provisional squads for Australia series

Sri Lanka has announced their provisional squads for the forthcoming Test and white-ball series against Australia, which begins on June 7 at home. The schedule comprises three T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead in the longest format of the game, while Dasun Shanaka will oversee the limited over games.

Australia has already announced a strong team for the tour, with Pat Cummins leading the Test squad and Aaron Finch leading the white-ball squads. To prepare for the forthcoming series, the hosts have chosen a 24-member provisional Test team and two 26-member preliminary ODI and T20I teams.

The 50-over games will account for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, whereas the red-ball games will be a part of the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. The three T20Is will be played between June 7 to 11, followed by the five-match ODI series scheduled from June 14 to 24. The tour will conclude with the two Test matches that will be played from June 29-July 3 and July 8 to 12.

The series will be critical for both teams, with WTC 2023 and CWCSL points on the line. The T20I series will also aid both teams in evaluating their line-ups for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia that is set to begin in October this year.

Though the series is of utmost importance for both teams, it is still at risk owing to the economic situation prevailing in Sri Lanka. Apart from the political and financial crisis in the country, the shortage of fuel and power has also worsened situations in the island nation. SLC would hope for things to improve soon as they are also scheduled to host the Asia Cup, later this year.

Here are Sri Lanka’s provisional squads

Test

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan.

 ODI

Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya De Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Arachchi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama.

T20I 

Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Guanathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Niroshan Dickwella, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Aarachchi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Kasun Rajitha, Nipun Malinga, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan.