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Sri Lanka seek new ODI captain

Islanders continue to churn through captains, with Sri Lanka Cricket confirming Thisara Perera will not be retained as 50-over skipper

Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are back in the frame to be Sri Lanka's one-day international captain following Thisara Perera's ousting just three games in the job. 

It was announced Thursday that Perera, who was a temporary appointed last month's three-match ODI series against India, would vacate the job with a view to installing Test captain Chandimal or his predecessor Mathews. 

Sri Lanka Cricket said it would name a replacement after consulting new coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who has pledged to get tough with the under-performing national team.

"During the discussion, the chairman of selectors informed me that they are considering appointing either Angelo Mathews or Dinesh Chandimal to fill the role," Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala said.

It continues a tumultuous period for Sri Lanka, who had seven different captains across all three formats in 2017 and are under pressure to find the right skipper ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

Perera suceeded Upul Tharanga, who was sacked after a series of losses, in the ODI job in November. Mathews stood down from the Test and ODI captaincy in July after a shock series defeat to Zimbabwe.

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Veteran spinner Rangana Herath led the Islanders in Tests against Bangladesh and India, while fast bowler Lasith Malinga and batsman Chamara Kapugedera have taken the reins in T20 Internationals.

Chandimal would appear a logical choice as the ODI skipper given he's taken over from Mathews in Test cricket, but was dropped from the 50-over team for the India series in December.

Mathews is one of the first-picked in all formats but has battled a succession of injuries in recent years and resigned the post less than six months ago.

Sri Lanka are set for a four-ODI, two-Test and two-T20I tour of Bangladesh later this month and will name Perera's replacement on Tuesday.

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