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Sri Lanka includes Pathum Nissanka among five additional members in T20 World Cup squad
The Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Committee included 05 more additional players to join the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. In a Press Release, the SLC said that the inclusions were made as part f the team’s Oman tour where they will be playing the host team ahead of the World Cup in a two-match T20I series. “The Minister of Youth and Sports Honorable Namal Rajapaksa ratified the following inclusions. Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan, Ramesh Mendis,” the release said. Along with five additions, there was a removal too as all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka, who was named in the original squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup got injured and hence will not travel with the team. Thus, the Sri Lankan squad flying on October 3rd to Oman would now consist of 23 players. Among the new entrants in the World Cup squad, Mindo Bhanuka has recently played for the national squad, while Nissanka and Ramesh Mendis have also been consistent members of the Sri Lankan squad. As far as Ashen Bandara and Lakshan Sandakan are concerned, they have also been in and out of the squad in the recent past and have international cricket exposure.
Five Sri Lanka players refuse to sign tour contracts ahead of India series
Sri Lanka’s off the field issues have become a cause of concern for the board. Now as many five players, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, and Kasun Rajitha have refused to sign the tour contract by the SLC for the India series. “Until the national contract issue is resolved they were asked to sign the tour contract if they are going to be available for the Indian series so that they can go into a bubble as we are investing in them. But they were reluctant to sign the tour contract and therefore they were left out of the residential camps. They did not join the bubble in Dambulla or Colombo,” said SLC CEO Ashley de Silva. The players have the time to sign the contracts before the commencement of the training. “These five were offered a tour contract. That is when you participate, they will also be considered for national selection for the Indian tour. For the Indian tour, you need to have a tour contract, which they didn’t sign as they are part of the 24 players offered national contracts. If they sign the tour agreement before the commencement of training for the Indian tour the selectors will consider them,” added De Silva. The white-ball fixtures between India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to begin on July 13. This is not the first time that the SLC has encountered such a problem. The board had faced criticism from the players as according to them the new annual contracts lacked transparency. 38 players had then refused to sign the contracts. “Because of the problems with the transparency of the ratings system devised by SLC, the players will not sign the tour contract," the release signed by 38 top players had stated. Sri Lanka’s tour of England had come under dark clouds but eventually the players travelled to the UK for the T20I and ODI series.
Seniors remain out of contention for England tour, Kusal Perera to lead
The Sri Lankan squad for the white ball tour to England later in the month has been confirmed after several days of uncertainty surrounding the players contract. The Sri Lankan cricketers were not happy with the latest player contracts and had decided to not sign them. However, the matter has been resolved now and the 24 member Sri Lankan squad will now fly out for UK on June 9. After two practice game, the islanders will lock horns against England in the first T20I on 23rd June. The tour will conclude on 4th July with the final ODI slated to be played in Bristol. Kusal Perera who was recently appointed as the new limited-overs skipper will continue leading the side in the six white-ball games. Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep has made a return to the squad with several uncapped players being named in the squad. Ashen Bandara who was part of the squad for the series in Bangladesh has been dropped. The rest of the players has retained their place which means that experienced campaigners like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne remain out of favour atleast for now. England will host the islanders for three ODIs and as many T20Is. They will play a practice match each in both formats before the commencement of the series. Squad: Kusal 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