Injured Mahela to miss Sri Lanka's first two ODIs vs Bangladesh
Sachithra Senanayake, the legspinner, makes a comeback on the back of some impressive performance in Sri Lanka's domestic first-class competition. Kithuruwan Vithanage, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in Galle earlier this month, has been rewarded for his good outing, and Sachith Pathirana and Angelo Perera are fresh faces inducted into the national side.
Still recovering from a fractured finger that ruled him out of the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Mahela Jayawardena was left out of the Sri Lanka squad for the first two matches of the three-match One-Day International series, which starts from March 23.
Angelo Mathews will lead the team, in what will be his first full-time leadership assignment in 50-over cricket after Jayawardena relinquished the position following the five match one-day series in Australia, which was drawn at 2-2. Dinesh Chandimal has been promoted as the vice-captain.
Akila Dananjaya, the mystery spinner, has been dropped from the squad and Rangana Herath has been rested. Tillakaratne Dilshan's availability is subject to his fitness.
Sachithra Senanayake, the legspinner, makes a comeback on the back of some impressive performance in Sri Lanka's domestic first-class competition. Kithuruwan Vithanage, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh in Galle earlier this month, has been rewarded for his good outing, and Sachith Pathirana and Angelo Perera are fresh faces inducted into the national side.
Pathirana, a left-handed allrounder, has been a consistent performer in Sri Lanka's first-class competition. He has scored 345 runs and picked up 24 wickets in the six matches he's played for the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club this season.
Angelo Perera, a right-handed batsman, who plays for the Nondescript Cricket Club, has hit a century and two fifties so far this season.
Squad for the first two ODIs:
Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Kushal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Sachith Pathirana, Tillakaratne Dilshan (availability is subject to fitness).