Sri Lanka, fresh from their 2-1 T20I and ODI series triumphs over the West Indies last month, are set to retain the same white ball squads for the upcoming series against New Zealand as well, The Sunday Morning Sports learns.

The white ball series against Mitchell Santner’s team is scheduled to start with the two-match T20I series in Dambulla commencing Saturday (9) and the selectors are reportedly determined to bank on the same set of players to maintain their current winning streak at home.

Prominent among them are openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, both of whom have hit a rich vein of form, with prolific run-getter Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith, and aggressive batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa adding much-needed solidity to the Lankan middle-order.

Further, the consistent form of skipper Charith Asalanka, adjudged Player of the Series against the West Indies in the ODIs, will be another asset to the hosts in their drive to win both white ball series against the Black Caps.

It will also be interesting to see whether the selectors give former Captain Dinesh Chandimal a start in the forthcoming series after he failed to feature in the preceding series against the Windies, despite being recalled to the squads.

In the bowling department, as expected, Sri Lanka’s forte will be their slow bowlers led by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, with vital contributions likely from his fellow spinners Maheesh Theekshana, who was declared Man of the Series in the T20Is against the Windies, Dunith Wellalage, and Jeffrey Vandersay.

The onus will be also on the home side’s pace battery, consisting of the likes of Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara, to show to the world that the squad is not a one-trick pony, following criticism on that front from West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy.

The Kiwis’ previous T20I series victory on Lankan soil was recorded during their last visit to these shores, winning a three-match series 2-1 five years ago, while the hosts’ last success was the 1-0 win in a two-match series 10 years ago.

In ODIs, the home team’s last series triumph was registered in the 2012-’13 season when they clinched a five-match series 3-0, while the visitors’ sole series victory was posted in the 1983-’84 season when they won a three-match series 2-1.  

Probable Sri Lanka squad for white ball series against New Zealand

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, and Asitha Fernando

(JK)