Sports
Sri Lanka rest four players ahead of dead rubber against New Zealand
Sri Lanka have decided to rest four key players for the third and final ODI against New Zealand, scheduled to take place in Pallekele on Tuesday. Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka have been released from the squad and will leave Pallekele.
“The decision was taken by the selectors to give the above players adequate time to recover and prepare for the upcoming Test series in South Africa,” stated a media release from Sri Lanka Cricket.
In their absence, top-order batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Lahiru Udara have been called up as cover, along with fast bowler Eshan Malinga.
The Sri Lankan squad already boasts a deep bench, with reserves such as Nishan Madushka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dilshan Madushanka, and Mohamed Shiraz available.
The hosts secured the three-match series with a game to spare on Sunday, pulling off a nail-biting three-wicket victory with just an over remaining.