SL vs SA: Sri Lanka announce 22-member squad for South Africa limited-overs series

Former Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has returned to the national side as Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 22-member squad for a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is against South Africa, scheduled to get underway September 2 in Colombo. Chandimal was last active in international cricket in March this year, when Sri Lanka travelled to West Indies for a limited-overs series.

Amongst the returnees is also opener Kusal Perera, who missed the entire home series against India owing to a shoulder injury, and pacer Binura Fernando, whose ankle sprain ruled him out of the ODIs against India. Perera even contracted with Covid-19 recently, although he has fully recovered and will be a part of the upcoming assignment, having last played in the away series against England in July, when Sri Lanka endured clean-sweeps in both T20Is (0-3) and ODIs (0-2).

Dasun Shanaka, who led Sri Lanka to a 2-1 victory against a depleted India side in the home T20Is, is set to lead the team with Dhananjaya de Silva as his deputy, while the home contingent has three uncapped players in right-arm off-break bowler Maheesh Theekshana and all-rounders Lahiru Madhushanka and Pulina Tharanga. The Sri Lanka squad is currently under a bio-secure bubble in Colombo.

Meanwhile, visitors South Africa, who are coming into this series on the back of victories over West Indies (home) and Ireland (away), have Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Lungi Ngidi missing from their ranks for the ODIs – a part of the ICC ODI Super League – scheduled on September 2, 4 and 7. However, all are expected to return for the ensuing T20Is (on September 10, 12 and 14).

While de Kock has been rested for the ODIs, Ngidi has made himself unavailable citing personal reasons. As for Miller, he is nursing a hamstring injury and is expected to regain full fitness for the 20-over fixtures.

Sri Lanka squad for South Africa series

Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akhila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana