Picture Credit: SkySports
Sri Lanka Cricket have announced their white-ball squad for the upcoming tour of England. The team will be led by Kusal Perera and features most of the players who featured in the recently-concluded series against Bangladesh. With the board having already announced that they are building a young team for the 2023 World Cup, the senior members like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal and Dimuth Karunaratne do not feature in the team for the tour. Kusal Mendis has been appointed as the vice-captain for the series.
"Sri Lanka Team will depart in the early hours of 09th June 2021 to take part in the T20I and ODI Series," said SLC in an official statement.
Sri Lanka's 24-member squad
Kusal Janith Perera (c), Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Oshada Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ishan Jayaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Isuru Udana, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama
Fixtures of Sri Lanka's tour of England
June 23 - 1st T20I
June 24 - 2nd T20I
June 26 - 3rd T20I
June 29 - 1st ODI
July 1 - 2nd ODI
July 4 - 3rd ODI
Important tour for Sri Lanka
Amid the ongoing pay-dispute between the players and the board, it is going to be a very important tour for Sri Lanka with regards to their future. After an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in ODI series last month, Sri Lanka are currently reeling at the bottom of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League standings. Kusal Perera's side will want to climb up the table with a better performance in the 3-match ODI series. On the other hand, the T20I series is going to be crucial for Sri Lanka to know their ideal playing XI with the T20 World Cup just round the corner.