Sri Lanka has announced its squad for the upcoming One Day Internationals against Australia, scheduled to take place later this week. The squad remains largely unchanged from the one that toured New Zealand earlier this year, signaling a focus on consistency in player selection. However, there is one notable change: seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe has been omitted from the team, which has been reduced from 17 to 16 players.
From Sri Lanka's perspective, this ODI series lacks significant competitive context since the team failed to secure a spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy. This places added pressure on Australia, which is gearing up for the eight-team tournament in Pakistan immediately following these matches. Despite the absence of high stakes for Sri Lanka, the team will still aim to put forth a solid performance at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a venue that is historically known for assisting both spin and pace bowlers.
The fixtures are set for February 12 and February 14, with both matches scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM local time.
Sri Lanka's batting lineup presents depth, particularly with captain Charith Asalanka anchoring the middle order. While there are concerns regarding the recent form of Pathum Nissanka, the squad features a lineup of capable batsmen. Key players include Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Mendis, the latter having recently showcased impressive form with scores of 85 not out and 50 in the second Test against Australia.
In terms of bowling, Sri Lanka boasts a skilled array of spinners, which is likely to play a vital role in the matches. The quartet of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Jeffrey Vandersay leads the spin attack with their varied skill sets. Supporting them are the fast-bowling contingent, which includes Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, and Mohamed Shiraz. The selection of frontline bowlers for these matches remains uncertain, necessitating strategic assessments based on pitch conditions and match situations.
The finalized squad for the ODIs against Australia includes:
Charith Asalanka (captain)
Nishan Madushka
Nuwanidu Fernando
Avishka Fernando
Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper)
Pathum Nissanka
Wanindu Hasaranga
Janith Liyanage
Kamindu Mendis
Asitha Fernando
Lahiru Kumara
Eshan Malinga
Mohamed Shiraz
Maheesh Theekshana
Jeffrey Vandersay
Dunith Wellalage
The Sri Lankan team will be armed with a blend of youth and experience, providing a platform to challenge a formidable Australian side. As the series unfolds, the focus will be on Sri Lanka’s ability to adapt and innovate, utilizing the home advantage effectively. This series serves as a crucial opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and form ahead of future international contests.