Sri Lanka announce squad for first two ODIs against Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka Cricket selectors today announced the squad for the first two ODIs of the 5-match home series against the touring Zimbabwe team. They have continued to back the core of the team while two senior players faced the heat after the team’s dismal show in the Champions Trophy. Dinesh Chandimal and Thisara Perera have been dropped from the team while 23-year-old Akila Dananjaya has been recalled.

Chandimal has himself to blame for the fate as the 27-year-old’s contribution in the Champions Trophy was a 12 and duck. In the opening game of the tournament against South Africa, he scored 12, didn’t get to bat in the following match against India and in a crucial fixture with Pakistan which gave them an opportunity to qualify for the knockouts he returned with a nought.

Perera, on the other hand, featured in their last two CT games where he picked up two wickets. He bowled well in the game against India where all the bowlers were hit for runs the medium pacer spent just 54 runs and picked up a wicket bringing his experience to the fore in the death overs.

But he dropped the most important catch of the tournament and also Sri Lanka’s chance of making it to the semi-finals as he grassed a straightforward chance of Pakistani captain Sarfraz Ahmed who went on to lead his team to a win in a game Sri Lanka dominated for the major part and eventually the championship title.

Comeback man

Dananjaya became a sensation back in 2012 when he was picked in the Sri Lanka squad out of nowhere. He was included in the World T20 squad without any professional cricketing experience behind his back. That had a lot to do with his ability to bowl the conventional off break along with leg break, googly, carrom ball as well as the doosra. He was the then skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s pick and made his debut in the washed out game against New Zealand at Hamilton.

He featured in 5 T20Is for Sri Lanka with the latest being in January 2013 but vanished out of scenes thereafter and has resurfaced now having played 34 first-class and 39 List A matches with 98 and 36 wickets respectively.

The most commonly heard name in Sri Lankan cricketing circles at the moment Lasith Malinga is also a part of the team. But his inclusion in subject to the outcome of the disciplinary inquiry against him initiated by Sri Lanka Cricket. If he is found guilty and handed over a punishment the selectors have recommended Suranga Lakmal as his replacement.

Captain Angelo Mathews and his deputy Upul Tharanga will have the major responsibility of guiding the path for the team ‘in transition’ that has struggled to put up consistent performances. Having flattered eventual finalists India in the CT 2017 they were below ordinary against Pakistan and that needs to be addressed at priority. The likes of Dickwella, Gunathilaka and Mendis have shown the potential to win matches for Sri Lanka but need to be groomed and that is where the seniors have to step up.

The bowling department looks in decent shape considering the series is to be played at home. Among the spinners chinaman Lakshan Sandakan will have to come to the party more often along with Dananjaya while the fast bowling department consists of the certain names- Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Madushanka.

Leg-break bowler Wanidu Hasaranga has received his maiden national call-up after his impressive performance in List A cricket and completes the spin trio.

SLC also named Nic Pothas as the interim head coach of the team for the home series against Zimbabwe and India.

Sri Lanka squad for the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe:

Angelo Mathews (C), Upul Tharanga (vc), Niroshan Dickwella, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep Fernando, *Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Madushanka

*Subject to disciplinary hearing and if he fails Suranga Lakmal is recommended.

Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka starts with the 1st ODI at Galle on June 30 while the last match will be the only Test to be played at Colombo from July 14.