SRI LANKA TAKES ON PRIME MINISTER’S XI TODAY
T20 warm-up at Canberra
Sri Lanka will begin their tour of Australia with the annual Prime Minister’s XI clash in Canberra today. The T20 contest promises to be a high-octane affair with the likes of Chris Lynn in a side that is co-captained by Dan Christian and Peter Siddle.
Sri Lanka stalwart Lasith Malinga is still going around and will lead the team with an eye on his international swansong at next year’s ICC T20I World Cup.
Sri Lanka have made a raft of changes to the group of players that impressively beat Pakistan 3-0 earlier this month despite having a second-string side after a number of players pulled out of that tour due to security concerns.
Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella are among other stars to return to a 16-man squad.
The Sri Lanka squad also features some fresh faces like rookie batters Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Oshada Fernando as well as wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has an impressive T20I bowling average of just 12 from six career matches.
Lynn will be the star attraction after he was a big-name omission from Australia’s 14-man squad to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in back-to-back T20 International series.
Siddle said he was expecting a fierce contest from Sri Lanka, who will face Australia in a three-match T20I series, starting on October 27.
“There are probably a handful of guys who are looking to get selection in the World Cup and probably a legitimate chance of maybe getting the call-up,” Siddle said. “They (Sri Lanka) are going to be taking it seriously because it’s their tour match before the start of their international campaign here.
Sri Lanka Squad: Lasith Malinga (Captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana and Kasun Rajitha.
Prime Minister’s XI: Daniel Christian (Co-captain), Peter Siddle (Co-captain) Djali Bloomfield, Ben Cutting, Daniel Fallins, Fawad Ahmed, Chris Green, Daniel Leerdam, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jason Sangha, and Jordan Silk. (Agencies)