SL news – Dunith Wellalage dropped, Bhanuka Rajapaksa kept in Sri Lanka T20I squad for New Zealand tour


Sri Lanka have named a largely unchanged 16-man T20I squad to travel to New Zealand later this month. Only Dunith Wellalage is out of the team that faced the same opposition at home last month. The team is expected to leave for New Zealand on December 20.

While no reason has been cited for Wellalage’s omission, it is likely that his spin bowling attributes would have been less useful in the more favorable conditions for New Zealand seams. Wellalage is currently participating in the Lanka T10 tournament for Jaffna Titans.

Apart from Wellalage, the Sri Lankan team, led by Charith Asalanka, has a familiar feel. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka comprise the main batting options, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe is in line to play a more prominent role than on recent tours as the lone bowling all-rounder.
Notably, Bhanuka Rajapaksa maintained his position in the team despite his lackluster performances in the recent Abu Dhabi T10 as well as Sri Lanka’s last series against New Zealand. While another curious retention is Dinesh Chandimal, who, despite being named in recent squads, last played a T20I in February 2022.

Wickramasinghe will complement a varied seaming attack of Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Untilhara, Asitha Fernando and Binura Fernando. Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay complete the team.

The first two T20Is will take place at Mount Maunganui on December 28 and 30, before the action moves to Nelson for the final match on January 2.

Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in New Zealand

Charith Asalanka (captain), 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 Untilhara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando



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