On Wednesday evening, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board announced a 16-member T20I squad for the New Zealand tour. The team picked up SLC is mainly unchanged, which had played the T20I series against New Zealand in Sri Lanka. Only Dunith Wellalage is missing from that team.
While no reason has been given for Wellalage’s absence, it is likely that his spin-bowling skills would have been less beneficial in New Zealand’s seam-friendly conditions. Wellalage is presently competing in the Lanka T10 tournament with the Jaffna Titans.
The Sri Lankan team will be led by Charith Asalanka, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis as the major batting options alongside him. While Chamindu Wickramasinghe is expected to play a larger part than on previous tours as the sole seam-bowling allrounder.
On one side, Dunith Wellalage is excluded from the squad for no reason; meanwhile, Bhanuka Rajapaksa is still retained in the squad despite poor performances in Sri Lanka’s previous T20I series. Veteran keeper Dinesh Chandimal has also found a place in the team for the New Zealand tour.
The Lankan pace attack for the T20I series in New Zealand includes Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, and Binura Fernando. Apart from the pacers, the bowling attack of Sri Lanka consists of spin bowling options of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad for New Zealand Series
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando
The Sri Lankan team is expected to depart for New Zealand on December 20, and the first two T20Is will be played in Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30, followed by the final one on January 2 in Nelson.
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