Australia Tour Of Sri Lanka 2022: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage Named In Provisional White-Ball Squads

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and youngster Dunith Wellalage have been named in the provisional white-ball squads for the upcoming bilateral series against Australia.

Rajapaksa, who made his last appearance for Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, was ignored for selection due to fitness reasons.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is likely to come back to Sri Lanka’s white-ball formats

The Srilankan player’s recent stint with Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022 might have helped his case to claw his way back to the national side. Rajapaksa scored 206 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 159.69.

Dunith Wellalage could make his debut for Sri Lanka in the Australia series

Wellalage led the Sri Lanka U19 side in the 2022 U19 World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year. The 19-year-old spinner was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 17 wickets in six games at an average of 13.59.

The Jaffna player also impressed with the bat, scoring 264 runs in six innings at 44 and made 113 against South Africa U19 in the Super League playoff semi-final.

Another youngster Matheesha Pathirana, who played a couple of games for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2022, was named in the provisional T20I squad against Australia.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to play three T20Is, five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches against the Aussies. The series will commence with the first T20 International match on June 7 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s Provisional Test Squad vs Australia:

Dimuth Karunaratne (c) Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara Oshada Fernando Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan.

Sri Lanka’s Provisional ODI Squad vs Australia:

Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama.

Sri Lanka’s Provisional T20 Squad vs Australia:

Danushka Guanathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ashen Bandara, Niroshan Dickwella, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Aarachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Kasun Rajitha, Nipun Malinga, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan.

Also Read: Australia Tour Of Sri Lanka 2022: Cricket Australia Says Tour Will Go Ahead Despite Government Advisory