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In-form Dickwella recalled for India series 

18 Feb 2022

  • Suranga Lakmal to play in his swansong Test 
BY Revatha S. Silva  Niroshan Dickwella, who was unfortunately victimised for telling the truth before a panel of inquiry on last July’s disciplinary breach incident in England, has finally been recalled to this month’s India tour which is to consist of three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and two Tests. Dickwella, who showed a notable batting form in the ongoing Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)-Dialog National Super League (NSL) 50-over tournament, had been overlooked as the other two involved in the said inquiry – Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis – were recalled for national duty for the ongoing Australia T20I series before him, following a curtailed ban by SLC. Sri Lanka will play five matches in Lucknow, Dharamshala, Mohali, and Bangalore in India from 24 February to 16 March. The second Test at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, to be held from 12 to 16 March, will be a day-nighter. Team Kandy wicketkeeper-batter Nirsohan Dickwella hammered a 104-ball 135 against Galle on Wednesday (17) at Pallekele to become third in the list of highest run-getters of the NSL, with 339 runs at an average of 48.42. Thirimanne recalled too Lahiru Thirimanne, too, has been recalled for the India Tests. He last played in the Bangladesh home series last May. The 32-year-old missed the November-December 2021 two-match West Indies Test series played in Galle. He has scored three fifties so far in eight matches in the NSL, representing team Jaffna. Thirimanne played in the NSL after returning from Australia where he had been with his wife during the birth of their child. Lakmal, Dimuth, and Angelo Meanwhile veteran fast-bowler Suranga Lakmal will play in his last Test in India, most likely in Bangalore. Lakmal had announced his international retirement early this month and days later revealed he would play for Derbyshire in the forthcoming English county season under former Sri Lanka Coach Mickey Arthur, who now coaches Derbyshire.  Lakmal, along with Sri Lanka Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews who were surprisingly not considered for shorter formats of the game in recent times, have all been included for the India series. Surprise inclusion of Vandersay Among the spinners for the India tour is leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay whose entry will surely raise more than a couple of eyebrows. Among the batters on tour will be Oshada Fernando who too has been given another opportunity mainly due to the form shown in the ongoing NSL. He struck two fifties and a century for Kandy in the tournament maintaining a healthy average of over 52 runs in seven matches. Daniel speculated to be included St. Joseph’s College, Colombo off-spinner Ashian Daniel is speculated to be included, along with top-order bat Bhanuka Rajapaksa and pacie Asitha Fernando, in the three-match T20I series in India. They are likely to replace the injured Nuwan Thushara and Ramesh Mendis, as well as Binura Fernando who tested positive for Covid-19, in Australia. Amongst others who are in the India tour party will be top-order batters Kamil Mishara, Dhananjaya de Silva, and veteran Dinesh Chandimal. Gunasekara likely to be included The quick bowling department will also be strengthened by newcomer Chamika Gunasekara whilst Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya will be the other two spinners in the side alongside Vandersay. Former Anandian Gunasekara, who missed the Zimbabwe home One-Day International series last month after making his debut in the first game, is likely to be included for the India Tests along with Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis.   


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