Sri Lanka T20 and ODI squad for New Zealand series announced; Kusal Perera back
Published - 06 Nov 2024, 01:44 PM | Updated - 06 Nov 2024, 11:40 PM
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The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has announced the 17-member squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand at home on Tuesday (November 6).
Sri Lanka will be hosting New Zealand in a two-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series this November. The two T20Is between the Sri Lanka cricket team and the New Zealand cricket team will be played on November 9 and 10 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.
Sri Lanka announces squads for T20I and ODI series against New Zealand
The three-match ODI series will begin on November 13 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. The second and third ODI are scheduled for November 17 and 19 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
Charith Asalanka will continue to captain Sri Lanka's white-ball teams. Seasoned players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Kusal Mendis are included in both the T20I and ODI lineups, bringing depth in both batting and bowling.
Sri Lanka’s ODI squad features a blend of experienced and emerging players, including batters Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, and Sadeera Samarawickrama. All-rounder Dunith Wellalage and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay will play crucial roles in the bowling attack, while the fast-bowling department is bolstered by Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
Mohammad Shiraz's wait for T20I comeback continues
The T20I lineup saw the return of powerful hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and seasoned player Dinesh Chandimal, adding firepower and experience to the squad for the upcoming home series against the Black Caps.
They also named Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara in the T20I squad. Mohamed Shiraz was named only in the ODI squad.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board said in a media release: “The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has selected the squads to take part in the T20I and ODI series to be played against the New Zealand National Men’s Team. The two T20I games will be played on the 9th and 10th November, while the three ODI matches will be played on the 13th, 17th, and 19th November 2024. RDICS, Dambulla will be the venue for the first three games, while the final two ODIs will be played at PICS Pallekele.”
Notably, the New Zealand cricket team is coming into the white-ball series in the Lanka island riding on a historic 3-0 clean sweep against India in a three-match Test series earlier this month.
However, they lost the Test series to the Lankans before this turnaround, so the upcoming ODI and T20I would offer an exciting battle for the fans, with both teams eying to maintain dominance on the field.
Sri Lanka’s squads for the New Zealand series:
T20 Squad: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, and Asitha Fernando.
ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (C), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Mohamed Shiraz.
