Batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa could be in line for a return to the national team, following his inclusion in the ODI and T20I provisional training squads for the home series against Australia next month.  

 

Rajapaksa, who was left out of Sri Lanka’s touring party for the limited over series in India last month after failing fitness tests and opted out of the T20I series in Australia, last featured for the country at last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. 

 

His omission has been a contentious topic, given the important role he has played in the middle order for Sri Lanka’s limited over teams, with his success at the Indian Premier League, representing the Punjab Kings this season, underlining his talent. 

 

Sling-armed fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has also been included in the T20 training squad, after garnering attention after his debut for the Chenni Super Kings this week, while Nipun Malinga, Nuwan Thushara and Lakshan Sandakan are among the other players who were included only for that format. 

 

Sri Lanka’s captain at the last Under 19 World Cup Dunith Wellalage will also train with the ODI and T20I squads, the first time he has come into consideration for the national team since topping the wicket-taker charts at the World Cup. 

 

Pathum Nissanka, who failed to recover from a back injury in time for the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, has also returned to all three training squads.

 

Provisional Test Squad:  Dimuth Karunaratne – Captain, Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan

 

Provisional ODI Squad: Dasun Shanaka – Captain, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya De Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Arachchi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama

 

Provisional T20 Squad: Dasun Shanaka – Captain, Danushka Guanathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Niroshan Dickwella, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Aarachchi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Kasun Rajitha, Nipun Malinga, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan

 

Main photo: Bhanuka Rajapaksa has had a relatively successful IPL season, with 206 runs in nine innings