Sri Lanka have been forced to pick a new squad after the suspension of three players and the total experience of the playing 11 in Durham is less than that of Eoin Morgan, the England skipper.
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Even before a ball has been bowled in the Durham ODI, Sri Lanka are on the backfoot against England. The suspension of Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka for a breach of COVID-19 protocols has put them in big trouble. On the other hand, there are injuries to Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando and Avishka Fernando. The side that has been picked for the match in Durham, is needless to say, very low on experience.
In fact, so low is their experience that the combined 11 that has been picked for the match is less than that of Eoin Morgan. Charith Asalanka, Praveen Jayawickrama and Dhananjaya Lakshan are the three debutants for Sri Lanka in this match. Ramesh Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Binura Fernando have all played fewer than seven ODIs.
Kusal Perera, the captain, has played 105 ODIs and is the most experienced. Dushmantha Chameera is the second-most experienced with 29 ODIs followed by Dasun Shanaka with 26 and Wanindu Hasaranga with 22.
Eoin Morgan has 243 ODI caps under his belt. The combined experience of the Sri Lankan team is 198. Although Sri Lanka and England have a 36-36 head-to-head record, the tide may have turned in England’s favour in this series. Sri Lanka won the 2019 ICC World Cup encounter against England in Leeds thanks to some brilliant bowling from Lasith Malinga.
In a video that has been uploaded on Twitter, Dickwella and Mendis are seen outside at night without a mask. According to reports, both Dickwella and Kusal Mendis might be sent back home. They may also have to undergo a lengthy quarantine period on arrival.
According to a Cricbuzz report, Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka have been suspended for breaching bio-bubble in England and will be sent back to Sri Lanka immediately.
The coronavirus cases have been on the rise in the United Kingdom, with over 10,000 cases per day. The new Delta plus variant has surged in the UK and lockdown-like restrictions are in place in many cities.
Sri Lanka was whitewashed 3-0 in the three-match Twenty20 International series. The first T20I saw England registering a comfortable eight-wicket win. In the second match, the rain shortened England’s target but they still won. Sri Lanka reached rock bottom in the third match as they were bowled out for 91.
Sri Lanka have started poorly in the ODI in Durham, losing three wickets cheaply. Chris Woakes has caused all the damage by taking two wickets in five overs. However, Kusal Perera has led from the front and is nearing a fifty as Sri Lanka look to salvage some pride on what is turning out to be a pretty poor tour for the visitors.
Kusal Perera(w/c), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama
