Chief selector hints of new faces for BD Test series

Chief cricket selector Upul Tharanga

Dasun Shanaka 

• Dasun Shanaka in line for T20I recall

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s chairman of cricket selectors Upul Tharanga stated that opportunities will be given to new players during next month’s two-Test series against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka are due to play Bangladesh in the first Test at Galle from 17-21 June and the second Test at the SSC from 25-29 June. This will be Sri Lanka’s first series of the World Test Championship (2025-27) new cycle.

“We had done well in the WTC (2023-25) only the final series against Australia we didn’t perform well,” Tharanga told Daily FT.

“There won’t be any big difference to the team but we may give a chance to one or two new players. There is room for that to happen because after this series we don’t have a Test series till around July next year. Players like Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha were in the Test squad against Australia but didn’t get an opportunity to play. There is also Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake who have performed well with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side. We may not be able to give all of them a chance but look as much as possible to give one or two.”

Tharanga expressed satisfaction with the ODI squad which he said had done well over the past few months to rise to no. 4 in the ICC team rankings, but was not too happy with the T20I squad.

With the T20 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka barely eight months away, Sri Lanka will need to tie up the loose ends in the team quickly using the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh as starters.

Giving reasons for Sri Lanka’s decline in the shortest format Tharanga said, “Our main issue is the batting being unable to put enough runs on the board, there is no consistency. We get a good start but we don’t convert it into a big total, the middle order apart from Charith (Asalanka) have not been successful. Collapsing after a good start has been the bane of our batting. It’s the player who performs during pressure situations that make the difference. In a T20 game you have to expect contributions of 70-80 runs from the top 4.”

“Some positions have to be filled like no. 4 and 6, they have not been stable. Charith has been largely controlling the middle order. With the World Cup around the corner, we need to find batsmen who can perform constantly in these positions. We cannot keep looking for players and making changes close to the World Cup.”

“Kusal Perera scored a T20I century for Sri Lanka after 2011. He is the only player with a T20I century from the current crop of players. To take 14 years to score a century is a big gap. Apart from the lack of consistency, not being able to make the correct decisions at the right time in the middle is another issue. More than technical it’s a mental problem to adapt according to game situations and be able to read the game. There is a lack of game awareness and to bat according to the team’s requirements.”

“Our players perform well in leagues around the world but when it comes to the national team we are not getting that contribution from them. The support staff is working very hard to overcome that problem, they are giving a lot of opportunities to the middle order batters. Currently, the national players are getting good training. We have identified the middle order players for the World Cup and those who are next in line, and given them specialised positions to bat during the ongoing Major T20 tournament for their respective clubs.”

The pinch-hitter’s position at no. 6 has also been a concern for Sri Lanka.  

“We tried Dasun (Shanaka) and then Bhanuka (Rajapaksa) but none has been able to perform continually and deliver to the requirements of the team. Recently, Dasun has been performing well in domestic cricket and in the leagues around the world. To a great extent Dasun will be given another opportunity,” said Tharanga.

On the bowling front Tharanga said that Sri Lanka had a good set of fast bowlers who have been performing well in Tests, and ODIs, and even in T20Is. He was pleased with the form shown by Dilshan Madushanka with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team.

“Being a left-arm seamer his presence will be important to the team’s combination. We have about four fast bowlers also playing in the IPL. (Matheesha) Pathirana is not in his best form, Eshan Malinga has done well and (Nuwan) Thushara has not got an opportunity to play yet.”

Tharanga accepted the fact that the economy rate of these bowlers were on the high side but added, what was important was the experience they are gaining playing a higher level of cricket with overseas stars.