Sri Lanka announced a 17-man squad for the forthcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa beginning April 27. The group that toured New Zealand earlier this year has six changes, including the uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga, and Piumi Badalge.
Hasini Perera, Hansima Karunaratne, and veteran Inoka Ranaweera are all being recalled. Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sachini Nisansala, Chethana Vimukthi, and the wounded Udeshika Prabodhani are in the way.
Out of the three new players, Madara, a 24-year-old spinner, made her senior debut against New Zealand in the T20I series last month. She impressed with a game-winning three-wicket haul in her opening encounter.
Along with the returning Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari, and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Vihanga, she joins a formidable spin contingent.
Rashmika Sewwandi, an 18-year-old batting all-rounder who played for Sri Lanka in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, is another youngster hoping to make his ODI debut. Achini Kulasuriya and Sewwandi are the only two seamers in the team.
With captain Chamari Athapaththu leading a virtually unaltered group that consists of Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani, the team is well fixed on the batting front.
However, there are still openings, and 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara is one to watch after she scored a solid 35 in her lone chance during the New Zealand tour. Additionally, 29-year-old Panadura CC captain Badalge will be hoping for his first chance with the national team.
The series starts on April 27 when Sri Lanka plays India in Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s women’s ODI tri-series squad
Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (worker), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, and Inoka Ranaweera
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