Uncapped Nuwanidu earns ODI call-up
View(s):Uncapped Nuwanidu Fernando has earned his first ODI call-up, while batters Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrema have been included in both ODI and T20 sides for the six-match white-ball series against India, starting early January 2023.
Also back in the side are all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne (T20, ODI), Pramod Madushan (T20, ODI), Dilshan Madushanka (T20, ODI), Nuwan Thushara (T20) and Jeffrey Vandersay (ODI). Bhanuka Rajapaksa will only feature in the T20 series as he has opted out from ODI cricket.
Nuwanidu Fernando was included for the T20 series against Australia in June but has yet to make his Sri Lanka debut. He’s been in decent form in the current leg of the Lankan Premier League (LPL), having scored 113 runs off five innings including one half century. Avishka Fernando, who last played international cricket in February this year, has had a knee surgery which kept him out of cricket for a prolonged period of time. He is however back with bang playing for Jaffna Kings in the LPL and scoring heavily.
Samarawickrema comes into the side on the back of fine performances during the ongoing LPL. The Jaffna Kings middle-order batter is the third highest run-getter so far, having scored 194 runs in five innings including an unbeaten 62 against Dambulla Aura. He will be the reserve wicketkeeper in the side.
His inclusion means senior batter Dinesh Chandimal will miss out on a place. Chandimal was part of the ODI team that played Afghanistan in a three-match series. He scored 47 runs off in three innings—the reason behind his axing, even though he has contributed to Colombo Stars’ journey in the current LPL season. Chandimal had scored 163 runs off six games including a best of 63.
Karunaratne, who embroiled in controversy following his alleged undisciplined conduct during the World T20 tournament, was dropped from the side for the series against Afghanistan but has been impressive during the LPL, playing for Kandy Falcons. Madushan and Madushanka come into the mix after injury layoffs. Spinner Dunith Wellalage has retained his place in both ODIs and T20Is.
Probable squads ODI/T20 for India series: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhannjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Capt), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (T20), Ashen Bandara, Nuwanidu Fernando (ODI), Sadeera Samarawickrema (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Mahesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay (ODI), Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara (T20), Chamika Karunaratne, Avishka Fernando.