Sri Lanka announce 16-member squad for two ODIs vs Australia, drop 22-year-old all-rounder who made his debut vs New Zealand

Sri Lanka announce 16-member squad for two ODIs vs Australia, drop 22-year-old all-rounder who made his debut vs New Zealand
Sri Lanka's Chamindu Wickramasinghe (front L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of India's Sanju Samson (not pictured) during the third and final T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on July 30, 2024.

Highlights:

Australia's last ODI series win in Sri Lanka came in 2016.

All-rounder Chamindu Wickramsinghe did not find a place in the squad.

Sri Lanka are not a part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced a 16-member squad for the two ODIs against Australia at home ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 starting February 12. Sri Lanka did not make it to the eight-team tournament, Champions Trophy. However, they will look to dominate current ODI World Champions in the absence of their captain Pat Cummins and few other senior players. 

The Sri Lankan selectors made only one omission from the ODI squad. Fast-bowling all-rounder Chamindu Wickramsinghe who was part of the ODI series against New Zealand did not find a place in the side. The 22-year-old Wickramsinghe has played four ODIs so far and scored 58 runs. With the ball, he has taken just one wicket and his economy rate is 7.07 runs per over.

After the loss in two-Test series, Charith Asalanka will look to continue their dominance in the white-ball format at home. Meanwhile, Australia will look to fix a few chinks in their armour ahead of the mega event. Earlier, it was just one ODI before the Champions Trophy but a second ODI was added later on. 

Sri Lanka squad for ODIs vs Australia

Charith Asalanka (c), Nishan Madushka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage

Australia's ODI squad 

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Short, Steve Smith (c), Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

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Sri Lanka vs Australia head-to-head

The two teams have played 103 ODIs against each other. Sri Lanka have won 35, lost 64 whereas four have ended in no result.

However, Sri Lanka have a better record at home. Out of 35 ODIs in home conditions against Australia, they have won 15, lost 15 whereas three have not produced a result.

The last time Australia toured SRi Lanka was in 2022. Sri Lanka won the five-ODI series by 3-2. Australia's last ODI series win on Sri Lanka soil came in 2016. Australia beat Sri Lanka 4-1 in the series.