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After he penned down an emotional letter to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board because he was blamed for his team’s poor show at the Asia Cup, all-rounder Angelo Mathews has now been dropped from the ODI squad that would take on England at home.
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The selectors, citing Mathews’ issues with fitness decided to not include the all-rounder in the squad. But the numbers tell a different story. He has been one of the top run-getters in ODIs in the past one year with 468 runs in 11 games.
Earlier, he was blamed for Sri Lanka’s early exit from the Asia Cup after defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan and he was removed from captaincy as well.
Also read: Asia Cup 2018: Birthday boy Rashid Khan stars in Afghanistan’s 136-run victory over Bangladesh
But he has been retained in a 16-man Test squad. Kaushal Silva, who last played a Test match in October 2016 and Malinda Pushpakumara, a veteran of just two Tests have been included in the list as well.
Although Lahiru Kumara is included, his participation totally hinges on how fit he is.
Batsmen Kusal Mendis and Snehan Jayasuriya have too been dropped from the squad. Sadeera Samarawickrama has been given a call-up. Suranga Lakmal also made way for Nuwan Pradeep and Lakshan Sandakan has been included in the squad with fellow spinner Dilruwan Perera left out.
Squads:
ODIs: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Upul Tharanga, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga, Amila Aponso, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Kasun Rajitha, Kusal Perera
Tests: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara (subject to fitness), Lakshan Sandakan, Niroshan Dickwella (wk).
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