Dickwella recalled for Zimbabwe series

Rajapaksa returns reversing retirement decision, but unavailable for Zimbabwe series

Niroshan Dickwella

By Shehan Daniel 

Five days after their one-year international cricket bans were lifted Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella were yesterday included in Sri Lanka’s squad for the ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had to delay the naming of the squad as almost half the originally selected players pulled out for varying reasons, resulting in the recalling of two of three players involved in the Durham bio-secure bubble breach last year.

The third player, Danushka Gunathilaka, had reportedly opted out of the series and as a result not taken part in the mandatory fitness tests, with SLC calling on Mendis and Dickwella to fill in vacant spots.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had to delay the naming of the squad as almost half the originally selected players pulled out for varying reasons, resulting in the recalling of two of three players involved in the Durham bio-secure bubble breach last year

Wicket-keeper Minod Bhanuka, ruled out of the series after picking up an injury, was the seventh player in the initial 18-member squad to pull out resulting in the sudden recalling of Dickwella.

He was not in the final squad or in the list of five stand-by players announced yesterday, but was included not long after when news of Bhanuka’s withdrawal broke.

Bhanuka would have been the most likely candidate for the wicketkeeper’s role but his withdrawal should see Dickwella straight into the team to take his place.

There are limited wicket-keeping options in Sri Lanka’s extended squad and reserves, with only Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal the other viable options. Nissanka has not kept wickets at international level, while Chandimal has been inconsistent and unconvincing behind the stumps, leaving Dickwella the most suited for the role.

Mendis meanwhile, is tipped to slot into the middle order following the retirement of Bhanuka Rajapaksa earlier this week.

Rajapaksa reversed his decision yesterday, but remains unavailable for this series having also not taken part in the mandatory fitness tests.

His change of heart came following a meeting with Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa on Wednesday, where the Minister implored the cricketer to reconsider his retirement.

Batter Ashen Bandara, who earlier in the day was named as a stand-by player, was also included to the squad along with Dickwella.

Of the 18 players initially named for the Zimbabwe series, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara and Janith Liyanage tested positive for Covid-19, while Vice Captain Dhananjaya de Silva was released on paternity leave, and fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Kalana Perera failed to meet the fitness standards.