Sri Lanka have left out spinning all-rounder Dunith Wellalage for the upcoming three-match T20I series in New Zealand, starting next week. It is the only change from the Lankan squad that faced New Zealand at home in their previous bilateral assignment. That series featured a 17-man squad for Sri Lanka who have named a 16-member touring party for the return T20I series.

Charith Asalanka continues to lead the side, which has a good mix of pace and spin in their team balance. All-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who debuted in the last series, retains his pace by being the lone seam-bowling all-rounder in the squad. It was arguably the competition for this spot that saw Wellalage being left out, given the nature of conditions in New Zealand.

The prominent all-rounder in the squad, Wanindu Hasaranga leads the spin unit alongside Maheesh Theekshana and leggie Jeffrey Vandersay. Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Asitha Fernando head the pace department with tall left-arm pacer Binura Fernando being the support option.

The first two T20Is of the series will be played on December 28 and 30 respectively, at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, while the final game will be held at Saxton Oval, Nelson. The T20Is will be followed by a three-match ODI series between the two sides.

Sri Lanka T20I squad:

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal. Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana.

Hard Court Tennis Nationals

Kapilasena brothers Saha and Tyee registered straight sets victory to win the Under 16 boys’ doubles title, while Sandas Usgodaarachchi and Matheesha Nettasinghe won the Under 18 boys’ doubles crown at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association Hard Court Tennis Nationals.

Saha and Tyee beat Ajesh Kajan and Chamidu Abeysinghe 6-3, 6-2 in the final.

In the Under 18 boys’ doubles final, Usgodaarachchi and Nettasinghe beat Binuk Silva and Kathi Udayachandran 6-0, 6-2.

Kapilasena brothers Saha and Tyee

In the Under 16 girls’ semi-finals Diyansa de Silva and Lihini Jayakody beat Chiara de Zoysa and Akeesha Silva 6-3, 6-2, while Venuli Jayasinghe and Sandithi Usgodaarachchi beat C. Baddewithanage and Senugi Rupasinghe 6-0, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Christina Fernando and Hasandi Jayasinghe are set to meet Vinuthi Kulatilaka and Janani Dahamsa in the Under 14 girls’ doubles.

Under 19 Cricket

Dandaru Malshan and Gimhan Rasanjana shared seven wickets between them to help Devapathiraja restrict St. Aloysius’ to 179 runs and record a first innings victory in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ tournament match at Karandeniya on Wednesday.

Scores

Devapathiraja

211 all out in 97.2 overs (Darshaka Sandeep 20, Gimhan Rasanjana 20, Puljith Wathsuka 63, Dandaru Malshan 28; Dulsath Nimviru 3/53, Kavindu Kesara 2/33, Prabash Nirwan 3/37, Tharuka Perera 2/25) and 106 for 4 in 40 overs (Chamindu Padmika 42, Matheesha Saranga 24)

St. Aloysius’

179 all out in 61.3 overs (Charya Paranawithana 67, Kavindu Kesara 54; Dandaru Malshan 4/65, Gumhan Rasanjana 3/35)

St. Sylvester’s 127, Wesley 50/4 at Anuradhapura

Scores

St. Sylvester’s

127 all out in 54.3 overs (Yoshitha Isuranga 83; Dinuja Samararatne 6/32)

Wesley

50 for 4 in 26 overs (Ishan Prabagaran 2/12)

Ananda dismiss Moratu Vidyalaya for 118 runs at Kadirana

Scores

Moratu MV

118 all out in 49.2 overs (Dadaneth Lakindu 26; Ashinsa Nainayaka 3/47, Kithma Withanapathirana 4/15, Sharada Jayaratne 2/18) (RF)