Sri Lanka announce squad for the limited-overs series against South Africa

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named the squad for the ODI and T20I series against South Africa starting on September 02.  Senior players Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Perera have returned to the national side. Perera missed the white-ball series against India owing to him injuring his shoulder on the England tour. Later, he tested positive for COVID-19 as well. The southpaw will lend solidarity to the batting at the top order. Meanwhile, Chandimal was dropped from the Sri Lanka team after a series of failures.

Sri Lanka finally had something right going for them as they won the T20I series against India after coping defeats in the previous five T20I series. The 22-member squad has a mix of youth and experience. SLC has also named three uncapped players - right-arm off-break bowler Maheesh Theekshana and all-rounders Lahiru Madhushanka and Pulina Tharanga, in the squad.

On the other hand, South Africa are brimming with confidence after convincingly winning the series against West Indies and Ireland. The Proteas too have the likes of Quinton de Kock, (rest), Lungi Ngidi (personal reasons), and David Miller (hamstring injury) missing from the squad. First up, the three ODI matches will be played, which are part of ICC ODI Super League, on September 2, 4, and 7.

The T20Is will be played on September 10, 12, and 14. All the matches are scheduled to be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in a bio-secure environment.

Sri Lanka squad for South Africa series

Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akhila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana