Gunathilaka and DDS pass fitness tests

Opening batsman Danushka Gunatilleke and middle order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva have passed a fitness test making them eligible for the tour of England. 

Opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka and middle order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva have passed a much required fitness test which means that they are eligible for the upcoming tour of United Kingdom. Both players had failed the two kilometer run last week and in yesterday’s re-run at Sugathadasa Stadium, they finished the sprint under the required time of eight minutes and 30 seconds.

Sri Lanka leave for UK on Tuesday and will engage in three ODIs and three T-20 Internationals.

 The team was set to play two warm-up games against Sussex and Kent as well but both games have been scrapped due the pandemic. Instead, Sri Lanka will remain in Cardiff in bio-secure bubble and will play intra-squad warm-up games before meeting England in the T-20 series. The first two T-20 Internationals will be played in Cardiff followed by the third game in Southampton.

 The ODIs will be played in Durham, The Oval and Bristol.

Sri Lanka’s selectors meanwhile have recalled fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep into the squad after he was overlooked for the tour of Bangladesh. Pradeep one of Sri Lanka’s most successful bowlers in limited overs cricket was axed as the selectors launched a youth policy.  His presence will strengthen the inexperienced bowling attack.

Opening batsman Avishka Fernando who failed repeated fitness tests and was sent home from Galle ahead of the Galle Test has got his act together having got back to shape and he has been picked in the squad. Fernando one of the promising young batsmen missed out on a central contract as well.

Due to the COVID protocols with net bowlers not provided by the home board during training, Sri Lanka are carrying an extended squad. Players like Charitha Asalanka, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Ishan Jayaratne have got their maiden call up with the senior side.

Sri Lanka also have handed T-20 captaincy to Kusal Perera having stripped Dasun Shanaka of leadership duties. Shanaka is part of the squad.

 Sri Lanka Squad: Kusal Perera (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando,  Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Isuru Udana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Shiran Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Ishan Jayaratne