Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka has shaken off the hamstring strain that ruled him out of February’s home series against Australia and is back in Sri Lanka’s one-day squad for three matches against Bangladesh, starting in Colombo on 2 July. The 24-year-old effectively replaces Lahiru Kumara, now on the treatment table with a side strain of his own.
All-rounder Milan Rathnayake, uncapped in limited-overs cricket but five Tests old, is also listed. His name carries an asterisk: he missed the ongoing second Test with a side issue and has been asked to prove his fitness once the medical team reconvenes next week. If cleared he offers brisk right-arm seam and lower-order runs, something the selectors have coveted since the World Cup.
Sadeera Samarawickrama returns behind the stumps after seven months out. Modest scores cost him his place late last year, but domestic hundreds for Colts and tidy glovework during the provincial 50-over competition have done the convincing. Sadeera’s inclusion squeezes out the young opener Nuwanidu Fernando.
The pace unit looks familiar enough: Eshan Malinga, rewarded for his tidy Powerplay spells with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, keeps his shirt, while Asitha Fernando provides the hit-the-deck option. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana headline the spin attack, backed by leggie Jeffrey Vandersay and the left-arm-spin-bat package Dunith Wellalage.
Chief selector Upul Tharanga said in a short board release, “We feel the group covers most scenarios – left-arm pace, three varieties of spin and plenty of batting depth.” Captain Charith Asalanka added during a media call, “The challenge is Bangladesh can bat deep, so our death-overs plans have to be spot on.”
Among the batters, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando and wicketkeeper-batter Nishan Madushka look the obvious candidates for the top three, though Kamindu Mendis’s off-side touch in the recent Test series has kept him in the conversation. Janith Liyanage, fresh from a maiden Test hundred, is the designated middle-order floater.
After two day-night fixtures at the R. Premadasa Stadium the series shifts to Pallekele on 8 July. A three-match T20I leg – squads still to be confirmed – follows from 10 July, also in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka ODI squad
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga
subject to fitness
