Sri Lanka, led by skipper Charith Asalanka, have announced their 17-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. 23-year-old uncapped pacer Eshan Malinga, who was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹ 1.20 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, has been included in the squad.
Eshan Malinga was recently signed by SA20 franchise Paarl Royals as a replacement for English cricketer John Turner for the 2025 season starting on January 9. Malinga last played in the Lanka T10 Super League in 2024. winner Hambantota Bangla Tigers.
Wanindu Hasaranga returns to the side after missing the previous ODI series
Sri Lanka made four changes to their squad for the ODI series. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga returns to the line-up after missing the previous ODI series against New Zealand in November due to a hamstring injury. Dunith Wellalage, who lost his place in the T20I squad, retains his place in the ODI squad.
The selectors dropped Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dishan Madushanka from the ODI squad. Perera returned to the ODI squad in the previous series against New Zealand but did not win a game. Hemanta was Hasaranga’s replacement in the last series.
Sri Lanka have included batsman Nuwanidu Fernando and pacer Lahiru Kumara in the ODI squad. Fernando, who made his debut in 2023, played five ODIs while Kumara last played in March this year.
Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for New Zealand Tour pic.twitter.com/NEZXHu8M18
— Murali End 🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰 (@MuraliPod) December 23, 2024
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand squad for the upcoming ODI series
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasedu, Lahit Kuhamazedu, , Eshan Malinga
Sri Lanka won both practice matches against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka won both their warm-up matches against a New Zealand XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on December 23 ahead of their limited-overs series.
In the first game, they chased down the 95-run target in just 10.5 overs and won by seven wickets. In the second match, batting first, they posted 128 runs for 10 runs and saved their total, winning by 32 runs.
The tour will continue with a three-match T20I series starting on December 28 at the Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui. The second T20I will be played at the same venue on December 30 and the third at Nelson on January 2, 2025.
The three ODIs between the Lankan Lions and the Black Caps are scheduled to be played at Basin Reserve in Wellington (January 5, 2025), Seddon Park in Hamilton (January 8) and Eden Park in Auckland (January 11).
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