Rajapaksa named in 21 men ODI squad for Australia series

Bhanuka Rajapaksa returned, while Sri Lanka's U-19 captain Dunith Wellalage earned his maiden international call-up as Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 21-man squad for the upcoming 5-match ODI series against Australia. Dasun Shanaka will captain the team. This series will be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.

After initially announcing a preliminary roster of 26 players for the T20Is and ODIs, the selection committee has reduced it to 21 players before the opening game on June 14. After being named in the provisional squad, Ashen Bandara, Janith Liyanage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Sahan Arachchi left for the 50-over series. Pathum Nissanka has also returned to the ODI side after missing the Bangladesh and India Tests due to a back injury.

Rajapaksa was previously featured in an ODI for Sri Lanka against South Africa in September last year before quitting International cricket. He rejoined the Sri Lankan team following a strong IPL season in which he made 206 runs in 9 games while attacking at 159.68. He has, however, scored 0 and 13 in two T20Is thus far. Meanwhile, Dunith Wellalage, U19 Skipper, has grabbed 34 first-class wickets in 11 matches.

Sri Lanka last played an ODI series against Zimbabwe in January of this year, which it won by 2-1.

Sri Lanka ODI Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dinesh Chandimal(wk), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan