Dhananjaya de Silva has slipped quietly back into Sri Lanka’s one-day set-up, selected for next week’s three-match series against England in Colombo. The all-rounder last wore the fifty-over shirt at the 2023 World Cup and then spent most of 2025 focusing on Test cricket. His return, alongside left-arm spinner-bat Dunith Wellalage, gives the hosts extra balance with bat and ball.
The headline omissions sit at the other end of the speed gun. Dushmantha Chameera is being rested, Dilshan Madushanka is injured, and Matheesha Pathirana has again been overlooked in this format. In their absence the selectors have turned to Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan and rookie right-armer Eshan Malinga, with seamer-all-rounder Milan Rathnayake providing cover. Rathnayake has only one ODI cap but did cause England problems in Galle last year, a fact the coaches haven’t forgotten.
“We know England have a few ‘vulnerabilities’, especially when the ball nips early,” an analyst involved with the squad said earlier this week. “Our job is to exploit them, even without the headline quicks.”
The spin unit looks more familiar. Wanindu Hasaranga leads the way, with leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay reclaiming the back-up role. Wellalage’s recall adds left-arm variety and lower-order runs. Off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana completes a foursome the home selectors regard as a strength on dry Khettarama surfaces.
Charith Asalanka captains again after standing in on the Pakistan trip. There is no Dasun Shanaka, while opener Lahiru Udara also drops out. Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis retain their places, both valued for multi-skill flexibility that suits modern white-ball cricket.
Sri Lanka haven’t played an ODI since losing 2-1 in Pakistan last November, and head coach Chris Silverwood knows England present a different challenge. Yet the hosts quietly fancy their chances. “If we string partnerships with the bat and bowl our cutters into the pitch, we can compete,” batting consultant Thilan Samaraweera noted during training on Tuesday.
All three ODIs – Thursday, Saturday and the following Tuesday – will be staged under lights at Khettarama, where dew and a skiddy surface often tilt things towards chasing sides. England, fresh from their T20I tour of India, arrive in Colombo on Monday night.
Sri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pavan Rathnayake, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga
