Charith Asalanka has been named vice-captain of the Sri Lanka Men’s side, which is set to play 5 T20Is against Australia from the 11th of February 2022.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 20-man squad that is set to travel Down Under, to play the hosts in 5 T20Is, across 3 venues – the Sydney Cricket Ground, Manuka Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
This series will be the first time Sri Lanka will play T20Is since their somewhat satisfactory performance at the T20 World Cup late last year. Janith Liyanage has received a maiden call-up to the national squad after an impressive performance in the Lanka Premier League, while Kamil Mishara and Nuwan Thushara will make their 1st appearance in a Sri Lank T20I squad.
Other additions to the squad who did not feature in the World Cup include Danushka Gunathilake, Kusal Mendis, Ramesh Mendis and Jeffery Vandersay. Gunathilake will make his first appearance for Sri Lanka returning from the ban imposed on him, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella in relation to a bio-bubble breach in June 2021.
Ramesh Mendis has been a regular for Sri Lanka in the Test format and put in some impressive performances in limited overs cricket of late, while Kusal Mendis and Vandersay have been rewarded for their form in domestic cricket over the last couple of months.
Sri Lanka have decided to leave out Kusal Perera, former vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva and middle order bat Bhanuka Rajapaksa for the series.
KJP is said to still be in rehab for a shoulder injury, while Rajapaksa has reportedly failed to meet the fitness standards set by Sri Lanka Cricket.
The Squad
Batters – Dasun Shanaka ©, Charith Asalanka (vc), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Janith Liyanage
Wicket-keeper batters – Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamil Mishara
All-rounders – Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga
Bowlers – Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffery Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando
