Chandimal returns, four rookies called in
Former Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal has earned a recall to the national white-ball side as selectors named him in a 30-man squad to play South Africa in a six-match limited over series. The squad also includes uncapped players in Dilshan Madushanka, a 20 year-old fast bowler, spin bowling all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, off-spinner Mahesh Theekshana and 28-year-old leg spinner Pulina Tharanga.
Sri Lanka is due to host South Africa for three ODIs and as many T20 internationals starting from September 2 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Chandimal, 31, was among several other senior players who faced the axe from white-ball cricket after selectors decided to form a young team with a long-term objective of forming a competitive side by 2023.
He has played 62 Tests, 149 ODIs, and 57 T20Is for Sri Lanka, after making his debut in 2010 and is a former captain in all three formats. He has 4158 runs in Tests with 11 centuries, 3698 runs in ODIs with 4 centuries, and 868 runs in T20s with 5 half-centuries.
Despite being a senior player in the side, Chandimal did not have a secured place in recent months, as Sri Lanka has tended not to pick him for limited-overs cricket due to his modest strike rate. Accordingly, he missed the series against Bangladesh, England and India.
The captain of the SLC Reds team, Chandimal scored two back-to-back half centuries in the ongoing SLC Invitation T20 League, prompting national selectors to offer him another lifeline.
However, the squad has no places for Angelo Mathews, who has opted out of cricket for reasons best known to him, Dimuth Karunaratne and Suranga Lakmal. Kusal Janith Perera, who is recovering from COVID-19, is included. Kusal, who led Sri Lanka in England, missed the series against India due to a shoulder injury.
While ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis has earned a well deserved recall following some fine performances in the ongoing tournament, hitting three half centuries on the trot, fast-bowling all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka, who made his ODI debut in 2017, has also earned a recall to the squad.
Dasun Shanka will lead the side.
30-man squad for South Africa ODI and T20 series: Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Banuka, Dinesh Chandimal, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Sahan Aarchchige, Lahiru Madushanka (Subject to fitness), Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Mahesh Theekshana, Pulina Tharanga, Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan, Asitha Fernando, Ishan Jayaratne, Dananjaya Lakshan, Shiran Fernando.