Published: Aug 20, 2016, 04:51 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 21, 2016, 08:52 AM (IST)
After a thumping victory in three-Test series whitewashing Australia, the Sri Lankan cricket team is set to carry forward the confidence in their first One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match ODI series to be held at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. A familiar situation is back into picture for both teams. Australia are presently the No. 1 ODI team while Sri Lanka are placed at No. 6 following their poor run against England. Before heading for the Tests, Australia were No. 1 and Sri Lanka were No. 7. Sri Lanka has retained a few from their Test series squad while there are few who have been omitted from the ODI squad that toured England. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st ODI at Colombo (RPS)
One major boost for Sri Lanka will be the return of their ace all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan. He missed out the ODI series against England due to personal reasons. He will be a key figure in the 16-man squad for the first two ODIs in Colombo. He has shown no signs of slowing down as he has garnered 1,207 runs at an average of 52.47 in the ODI matches played last year. Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Perera add further impetus to the batting line who can build the base at the top. Gunathilaka also scored a half-century against England when Kusal was dismissed for 1 in the final ODI.
Kusal Mendis was not as impressive in the England series until the final ODI made its way. But his latest match-saving century in the first Test against Australia at Pallekele has shut the critics. He will need to continue his dream run to outsmart the Australian pacers. Dinesh Chandimal is one of the most consistent batsman for Sri Lanka and the vice-captain of the side. His consecutive half-centuries against England and his recent century in the final Test against Australia puts him on spotlight in ODI series as well in the middle-order.
Skipper Angelo Mathews always comes handy with the bat at the need of hour. He stands tall amidst the chaos. His unbeaten 63 against England and consistency in the recently-concluded Test series is bound to amplify the expectation from the batsman. Speaking of the two new inclusions Avishka Fernando and Amila Aponso from Under-19 squad, both come with immense experience. Aponso has been named in the squad following his good run in South Africa for the U-19 team. As for Avishka, his recent run against England U-19 has earned him the spot. His consecutive centuries helped whitewash England U-19 team and usually plays in the top-order. So Sri Lanka making another experimentation at the top is highly on the cards. ALSO READ: SL vs AUS, 1st ODI: Likely XI for Smith’s team
As for the bowlers, Dilruwan Perera will play his first ODI match after his 10-wicket haul and half-century in the second Test against Australia. He will be expected to repeat the same in the ODI’s as well against Australia top batsmen. Mathews will be useful with the ball as well. Sri Lanka are hit massively with drop of Dasun Shanaka and Farveez Maharoof, who picked regular wickets in the England series. Shanaka was at the top for his half-century and five-wicket haul in the ODI series against Ireland ahead of England series. Remember Dhananjaya de Silva, the man who scored his maiden century in the third Test? This all-rounder will be helpful in the lower middle-order and can also get wickets when required as seen against England. He is yet to show his batting prowess in ODI after his maiden game against Ireland.
Staying away due to injury in the Test series, Nuwan Pradeep is back to spearhead the pace bowling unit. He picked four wickets and was thighest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka against England in the ODI series. Thisara Perera is back in the pace bowling unit for Sri Lanka, despite proving to be expensive with the ball. Suranga Lakmal will be constructive with ball as well. He fell behind Pradeep in the England series as second highest wicket-taker. He will be the only specialist seam bowler. Lakshan Sandakan will also be the next bowler to vouch for. His nine-wicket haul in the entire series has sealed his spot in the ODI squad. He was part of the ODI squad when Sri Lanka played a home series against England in 2014, but did not play a single game.
As of now Sri Lanka has picked the squad for just two ODIs, both which will be played at Colombo. After Sri Lanka’s better run in Colombo, Australia might wary about the balanced Sri Lanka unit. Australia can heave sigh of relief with no Rangana Herath on the side to provide nightmares. Both teams have made drastic changes to their side. Sri Lanka will however, continue to ride on their Test success.
