Sri Lanka announce 15-man squad for Bangladesh ODIs; Mathews left out, Kusal & Thisara recalled

New Delhi: After securing the Test series, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews was left out of a 15-member squad for the three-match one-day international series against Bangladesh that starts next week.

Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement Saturday that Upul Tharanga will captain the hosts of the ODI tournament starting March 25 at the Dambulla international stadium.

Mathews, who returned home in January halfway through the South African tour after twisting his ankle, was left out from the Test squad. Sri Lanka is leading the ongoing two-match Test series against Bangladesh 1-0.

Sri Lanka`s cricket board had earlier hoped that the regular skipper would be able to play in the ODI series.

Sri Lanka have recalled left-handed batsman Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, starting from March 25 in Dambulla.

Both Pereras have been recalled into the ODI team following their decent form in the ODI leg of the England Lions` recent tour of Sri Lanka.

Thisara had hit a match-winning 56 not out off 35 in the first unofficial ODI, and took two wickets for 17 in the second. On the other hand, Kusal had struck two fifties in the three games he played and grabbed the attention of the selectors.

However, skipper Angelo Mathews has not been included in the 15-man squad due to injury.Upul Tharanga, who was stand-in captain during their 0-5 ODI whitewash in South Africa, will continue to lead the side.While the management had hoped that Mathews would regain fitness in time for this series, the hamstring tear he sustained during the T20I series in South Africa continued to ail him, reports ESPNcrininfo.

Sri Lanka Squad: Upul Tharanga (capt), Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Seekkuge Prassanna, Lakshan Sandakan.

In: Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara PereraOut: Chaturanga de Silva, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lahiru Madushanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Sandun WeerakkodyThe first ODI will be followed by games on March 28 and April 1 at the Dambulla International Stadium and SSC respectively.  

(With Agencies inputs)