Herath Rested for Bangladesh ODIs

Colombo: Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was rested for the first two games of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh as selectors on Monday announced a 16-man squad, including three newcomers.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardena will miss the entire series as he was not considered because of fitness reasons. Jayawardene is yet to fully recover from a fracture to the middle finger of his left hand.

Senior batsman Thilakaratne Dilshan has been included subject to recovery from a quadriceps strain which he had suffered in the ongoing two-match Test series.

Left-handed middle-order batsman, Kithruwan Vithanage, who made Test debut against the tourists and two 23-year-old all-rounders Sachith Pathirana and Angelo Perera have been included in the squad.

In Herath's absence, off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake, a recent new signing for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, assumes the role as the senior spinner.

The ODI series will begin with the opening match scheduled to be held in Hambantota on March 23.

Sri Lanka ODI squad:

• Angelo Mathews (captain)
• Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain & wk)
• Kusal Janith Perera (wk)
• Kumar Sangakkara (wk)
• Lahiru Thirimanne
• Jeevan Mendis
• Thisara Perera
• Nuwan Kulasekara
• Lasith Malinga
• Sachithra Senanayaka
• Upul Tharanga
• Kithruwn Vithanage
• Angelo Perera
• Shaminda Eranga
• Sachith Pathirana
• Tilakratne Dilshan (subject to fitness)