Dilshan returns to boost Lankan squad

Veteran batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan returns to Sri Lanka’s one-day international squad as the home side aims to continue their winning ways against Australia when the tour enters 50-over mode in Colombo tomorrow.

Dilshan, 39, made himself unavailable for the recent tour of England due to personal reasons, but the attacking opener looms as a key figure in the 16-man squad named for the first two ODIs at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

The veteran of 327 ODIs has shown no signs of slowing down, blasting 1,207 runs at an average of 52.47 in ODIs last calendar year. Only Black Caps stars Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson were more prolific.

A host of Test stars from the historic three-nil Test series sweep – led by skipper Angelo Mathews – will make the shift from the creams to coloured kit, along with in-form young gun Avishka Fernando.

The uncapped 18-year-old batsman is fresh off a starring role in another Sri Lankan sweep – a three-match Youth ODI series against England – where he plundered 285 runs at an average of 95.

Australian batsmen will be relieved to see a line-up sans spin genius Rangana Herath, but Steve Smith and his men will again be confronted by the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera and Dinesh Chandimal.

Allrounder Milinda Siriwardana – who posted a half century against Australia in the tourists’ only first-class fixture ahead of the Test series – has also earned a recall to the national ODI squad.

After a thrilling tie in Nottingham, Sri Lanka failed to win an ODI against England as Mathews and Chandimal did most of the heavy lifting from the middle order.

Australia’s most recent white-ball foray came in the form of the Caribbean tri-series in June, where Mitch Marsh played a key role in overcoming South Africa and West Indies.

Quick Single: Marsh withdrawn from ODI squad

The powerful allrounder boasting an ODI average of 53.50 this year has been sent home early from the island nation as selectors aim to keep him fresh for a packed home summer.

James Faulkner looms as Marsh’s likely replacement for tomorrow’s series opener.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal (vc), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Avishka Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Seekuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Amila Aponsu

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Fixtures

First ODI: R. Premadasa Stadium, 21 August at 7pm AEST

Second ODI: R. Premadasa Stadium, 24 August at 7pm AEST

Third ODI: Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, 28 August at 7pm AEST

Fourth ODI: Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, 31 August at 7pm AEST

Fifth ODI: Pallekele Stadium, 4 September at 7pm AEST