Sri Lanka have announced a 17-member squad, led by skipper Sharith Asalanka, for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. 23-year-old Eshan Malinga, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 1.20 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, has been included in the squad.
Eshan Malinga was recently signed by SA20 franchise Paarl Royals as a replacement for England cricketer John Turner for the 2025 season, scheduled to start on 9 January. The victorious Hambantota Bengal Tigers.
Wanindu Hasaranga returns to the side after missing the previous ODI series
Sri Lanka made four changes to their squad for the ODI series. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga returns to the side after missing the previous ODI series against New Zealand in November due to a hamstring injury. Dunith Wellalage, who lost his place in the T20I squad, retains his place in the ODI squad.
The selectors have dropped Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Sadira Samarawickrama and Dishan Madushanka from the ODI squad. Pereira returned to the ODI squad during the previous series against New Zealand but did not get a cap. Hemantha was Hasaranga's replacement in the last series.
Sri Lanka have included batsman Nuwanidu Fernando and pacer Lahiru Kumara in the ODI squad. Fernando, who makes his debut in 2023, has played five international matches, while Kumara last appeared in March this year.
Sri Lanka's ODI lineup for the New Zealand tour pic.twitter.com/NEZXHu8M18
– The end of Murali 🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰 (@MuraliPod) December 23, 2024
Sri Lanka's lineup for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand
Sharith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janeth Liyanage, Nwanidu Fernando, Donith Willalage, Wanendu Hasaranga, Mahesh Thekshana, Jeffrey Vandersee, Chamedu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Muhammad Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara . , Ishaan Malinga
Sri Lanka won the two practice matches against the New Zealand XI before the limited-overs series
Sri Lanka registered victories in both practice matches against a New Zealand XI at Burt Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on 23 December, ahead of the limited-overs series.
In the first match, they chased down a target of 95 runs in just 10.5 overs to win by seven wickets. In the second match, batting first, they scored 128 runs in 10 overs and defended the total, winning by 32 runs.
The tour will continue with a three-match T20I series starting on December 28 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The second T20I is scheduled to be held at the same venue on December 30, and the third will be played in Nelson on January 2, 2025.
The three ODIs between Lankan Lions and Black Caps are scheduled to be played at Basin Reserve (5 January 2025) in Wellington, Seddon Park (8 January) in Hamilton, and Eden Park (11 January) in Auckland.
