New arrival in Dhananjaya de Silva’s family : opts out of Zimbabwe series

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva has pulled out from the squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, it is learnt. 

According to the highly placed sources close to him, his wife has delivered a baby and the 30-year-old DDS has requested SLC to allow him to opt out of the series.
“His request has been accepted and the replacement will be made”, one of the sources confirmed. 

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), in consultation with the selectors have replaced four more players from the originally selected 18.  
Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage have tested positive and two more players failed the fitness tests. 

The four, who were not in the original squad of 18, but added are : Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis and Nuwan Pradeep.   

The squad :  Dasun Shanaka (likely captain), 2 Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Pathum Nissanka, 4 Minod Bhanuka, 5 Kusal Mendis, 6 Chamika Karunaratne, 7 Maheesh Theekshana, 8 Jeffery Vandersay, 9 Kamindu Mendis, 10 Nuwan Thushara, 11 Nuwan Pradeep, 12 Ramesh Mendis, 13 Praveen Jayawickrema, 14 Dushmantha Chameera, 15 Chamika Gunasekara, 16 Kalana Perera, 17 Kamil Mishara and 18 Charith Asalanka. 

Dushmantha Chameera’s selection is subject to his fitness clearance and another player may be chosen if he is not cleared by the doctors. 

The team will be managed by Chandima Maputana.