Mathews returns to squad to be led by Malinga
Our sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: The Sri Lanka cricket team will arrive in here tomorrow to play the first game of the 3-match T20I series. The series will kick-off at the ACA stadium, Barsapara on January 5.
The Islanders last played in the city in 1997. Sri Lanka announced its 16-member squad for this tour today. Veteran pacer Lasith Malinga was named captain of the team which also included former skipper Angelo Mathews.
Mathews returned to the squad after a 16-month absence from the shortest form of the game. He played his last T20 international against South Africa in August 2018 when he led Sri Lanka to a three-wicket victory. On the other hand, pacer Nuwan Pradeep, who was initially in the 16-member squad, was dropped in the very last minute because of an injury and he was replaced by Kasun Rajitha.
Meanwhile, members of the Indian team will arrive in Guwahati on January 3. The Guwahati match will be the series opener and although the team was suppose to assemble in Guwahati on Thursday, the schedule has changed and the players will now arrive on Friday. Only batting coach of Team India, Vikram Rathore, will land in Guwahati tomorrow. Both the teams will do their first training session in Guwahati on Friday.
Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha.