Kusal Perera back in limited-overs squads after recovering from Covid-19

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Nuwan Pradeep and Dinesh Chandimal also return, alongside new faces who did well in domestic T20s

Kusal Perera makes his return to the Sri Lanka limited-overs squad for South Africa’s tour of the island, having sufficiently recovered from Covid-19. Veteran seamer Nuwan Pradeep, and experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal return as well, on the back of good performances in the recently-concluded domestic T20 tournament.
Younger players also found places in the squad thanks to their form in SLC’s Invitational T20 League. Legspinner Pulina Tharanga, who was joint-highest wicket taker, and Kamindu Mendis, who was the second-highest scorer in the league, with 193 runs from three innings at a strike rate of 168, are in. Offspinner Maheesh Theekshana, and seam bowler Lahiru Madushanka did not quite impress to the same extent, but have found places nonetheless.
Omitted from the squad are the likes of left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan, seam bowler Kasun Rajitha, and middle order batter Ashen Bandara, each of whom had modest outings in the limited overs series against India, in July.

Pradeep, meanwhile, had been left out for that India tour, but comes back in after having taken a tournament-topping seven wickets at an economy of 8.18 in the Invitational League. Chandimal had been captain of the SLC Reds team that made the final of that tournament, and had hit 183 runs in six innings, albeit at a strike rate of 120. He has played only three T20 internationals since 2019.

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, comes into the series with excellent domestic form as well, having easily been the top-scorer in the Invitational League, thumping 258 runs at a strike rate of 184.

The tour will comprise three ODIs and three T20Is, all to be played at Khettarama, in Colombo. The first ODI is set to be played on September 2.

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka. Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana.

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf

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