Probable Sri Lanka playing XI for ODI series against England

Sri Lanka playing XI for ODIs: Not even a day after suffering one of their most humiliating losses in Southampton and going down 3-0 in the T20I series to England, Sri Lanka suffered a body blow when they also lost three of their first-choice picks on disciplinary ground ahead of the ODIs.

Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, who are integral to Sri Lanka limited-overs playing XI, were on Monday (June 28) suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and asked to immediately return home after they were found guilty of breaching the bio-security regulations.

Dickwella and Mendis were seen roaming around at night time in Durham in a video that did the rounds over social media, before in another clip Gunathilaka was seen accompanying them. As matter came to the fore just after an embarrassing series loss, SLC didn’t take things lightly and immediately launched an investigation, following which the trio was reprimanded.

But their return has also meant Sri Lanka, who are already going through their lowest ebb as an international side and are missing multiple experienced players due to contractual issues with SLC, will be further weakened for the ODI series, starting Tuesday (June 29).

With that in mind, the focus today is on probable Sri Lanka playing XI for the extremely challenging ODI series against the 2019 World Cup champions in their own den. The series counts towards Sri Lanka’s campaign in the ICC Super League, thus making it important that they put the best foot forward in terms of team selection.

Sri Lanka playing XI: captain Kusal Perera has big responsibility on his shoulders (pic courtesy: Twitter/BBC Test match special)

Probable Sri Lanka playing XI for ODI series against England

1. Kusal Perera (c & wk)

The T20I series that went by was a difficult one for Sri Lanka captain Kusal Perera, who could muster only 54 runs from his three innings. However, in the ODI version, the left-hander will have fond memories of his last innings as he struck a century in Sri Lanka’s only victory on their disappointing trip to Bangladesh. The captain needs to lead his team from the front and inspire their comeback after all that has happened in the last week.

2. Pathum Nissanka

In the absence of Gunathalika and injured Avishka Fernando, it is expected that Sri Lanka will hand the role of the second opener to Pathum Nissanka, who is an inexperienced but talented member of the ODI set-up. The 23-year-old is very new to the limited-overs side, but has shown at the Test level that he can hold his own in tough circumstances.

3. Oshada Fernando

29-year-old right-hand batsman, Oshada Fernando, has been Sri Lanka’s preferred No.3 in the final T20I in Southampton and is likely to retain the spot one-down even in the ODI series. Fernando hasn’t quite had an impressive start to his ODI career, with an average of just above 18 from his first seven games. But he, like Nissanka, has shown from time to time through his Test career that he can be a dependable player when he gets going.

4. Dhananjaya de Silva

With Kusal Mendis flying back home, the onus could fall on Dhananjaya de Silva to try and control the innings from the middle-order at No.4 for Sri Lanka. Having batted only one position below that during the Bangladesh series, Dhananjaya wouldn’t have to adjust too much either. While his strike-rate has been a concern, Sri Lanka need the stability that Dhananjaya can provide at his best.

5. Charith Asalanka

Misfortune of the suspended trio could open doors for Charith Asalanka’s international debut in the Sri Lankan jersey. Asalanka, the 23-year-old left-hand batsman, boasts of a decent List A record to his name. He has scored 1,534 runs at an average of 43.82 and strike-rate of 80.18 in 50-over domestic cricket. Asalanka is also a useful off-spinner, with an economy rate of only 4.51 and 27 wickets in 26 innings of bowling.

6. Dhananjaya Lakshan

Another uncapped beneficiary could be Dhananjaya Lakshan, the 22-year-old all-round cricketer. In his early days as a cricketer, Lakshan has arrived at the international scene after putting in decent performances at the domestic level. He has an average of 37.75 and strike-rate of 98.47 as a left-hand batter and an economy rate of 5.85 as a fast-medium bowler in List A cricket. In the last year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL), Lakshan took 13 wickets from his eight outings for Galle Gladiators.

7. Dasun Shanaka

Another medium pace all-rounder, Dasun Shanaka, is one of the more experienced cricketers available up Sri Lanka’s sleeves. Shanaka can be a useful lower-order batsman and handy fifth or sixth bowling option at his best. He has a career ODI strike-rate of 108.42 and economy rate of 5.77 after 25 matches in the format.

8. Wanindu Hasaranga

At a time when Sri Lanka are going through their worst ever period across formats, the emergence of Wanindu Hasaranga has taken many by surprise. The spin bowling all-rounder is an incisive bowler and an improving lower-order bat for his country. In his 22 ODIs for the Lankans, Hasaranga, 23, boasts of 21 wickets at an economy rate of 5.07 and has an impressive strike-rate of 116.11 with the bat. Hasaranga is a crucial player if Sri Lanka are to comeback after T20Is and take some fight back to England.

9. Nuwan Pradeep

Pacer Nuwan Pradeep is making a comeback to the ODI squad through this tour after missing the Bangladesh series. The 34-year-old right-arm pacer, known for the spongy bounce he generates off the track, has played 47 previous ODIs for Sri Lanka with 59 wickets at an economy rate of 5.96. Pradeep’s inclusion would fill the huge gap in the experience column for the visitors.

10. Binura Fernando

Binura Fernando, the left-arm fast bowler, was one of Sri Lanka’s bright spots during their T20I series defeat against England. In his two outings, the 25-year-old picked up 2 wickets and gave away just 6.14 runs per over. Fernando has played just a solitary ODI for his country before and will be hoping to not just add to his career caps but also the wickets tally.

11. Lakshan Sandakan

One of the crafty left-arm wrist-spinners around in international cricket, Lakshan Sandakan has now played 29 ODIs for Sri Lanka. Plagued by an inconsistent run in the Sri Lanka playing XI, Sandakan hasn’t really had the chance to fulfil his potential, something reflected in his numbers: 25 wickets at an average of 56.6 and economy rate of 6.17. But he can certainly be a handful at his best and produce wickets through the middle-overs that shall help his team.