Sri Lanka recall Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis for Australia tour

The pair have been included in the squad which will travel to Australia for a T20I series, a matter of days after their long ban for breaching Covid-19 protocols on a tour of England last June was scrapped

Danushka Gunalthilaka and Kusal Mendis have been recalled by Sri Lanka for the first time since their year-long international suspension was brought to an early end.

The pair have been included in the squad which will travel to Australia for a T20I series, a matter of days after their long ban for breaching Covid-19 protocols on a tour of England last June was scrapped.

Nirsohan Dickwella, the third Sri Lankan to be punished for his involvement in that incident in Durham, has not been selected for the five-match trip, which features games in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

^{Kusal Mendis has been recalled by Sri Lanka (Ishara S Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)}

Dinesh Chandimal is included, but Angelo Mathews misses out - the veteran having recently sustained a hamstring problem.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who recently reversed his decision to retire following an intervention by the Sri Lankan sports minister, has not made the cut. Rajapaksa's exclusion is likely fitness related. 

Sri Lanka have named Dasun Shanaka as captain for the campaign.

The series is due to get under way on February 11. 

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando

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