Chamindu Wickramasinghe, a batting all-rounder, has been left out of Sri Lanka’s team for their forthcoming two-match ODI series with Australia. The sole alteration to Sri Lanka’s team from their tour match against New Zealand is this. There are now only 16 members of the current squad.
The domestic circumstances in Sri Lanka may be the reason for the exclusion of the seam-bowling all-rounder. The think tank’s conclusion in Wickramsinghe’s favour was made with the understanding that the conditions would be favourable for the spinners and that the Champions Trophy would be played under similar circumstances.
The team management appears to have used the well-known “horses-for-courses” philosophy in choosing Dunith Wellalage over Wickramasinghe. Along with his batting prowess, Wellalage’s disciplined left-arm spin has been an invaluable asset to the Sri Lankan team.
Chamindu Wickramasinghe had to make room, so the squad’s original size of 17 men was reduced to 16.
As previously stated, the rest of the team is the same as it was for the three-match ODI tour to New Zealand. The pace-bowling section will continue to be led by Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando. Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga, a somewhat inexperienced team, will help them. The front-line possibilities for the spinners will be Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay; the other options are Wellalage and captain Charith Asalanka.
Both games, which are slated for February 12 and 14, respectively, will take place in Costa Rica. The two games are expected to give the Australians an opportunity to hone their abilities in preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage
India
