Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced its squad for a two-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, which will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 12 and 14. The squad announcement was made on Monday (February 10), just a few days before the series is set to begin.
The upcoming ODI matches will provide Australia with a final opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and team combinations ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
No place for Chamindu Wickramasinghe in Sri Lanka’s ODI squad
The 16-member squad is largely unchanged from the one that toured New Zealand in January, with one exception: seam-bowling all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe has been left out. This trims the squad from 17 to 16 players.
According to multiple reports, the decision to drop Wickramasinghe was influenced by the home conditions, which typically favour spin bowlers. With the Champions Trophy also on the horizon and expected to be played on similar tracks, selectors opted for a spin-heavy squad. Dunith Wellalage’s ability with both bat and ball further solidified his position over Wickramasinghe.
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Charith Asalanka will captain the Sri Lankan side. The batting line-up includes Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando.
The spin bowling options include Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara will lead the pace attack, supported by Eshan Malinga and Mohamed Shiraz.
Sri Lanka recently played a two-match Test series against Australia; however, they lost both games in Galle.
Sri Lanka squad for Australia ODIs:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Kumara.
