Sri Lanka recall Jeevan Mendis, Fernando

Colombo: Sri Lanka have recalled allrounder Jeevan Mendis and seamer Dilhara Fernando to their ODI squad for the home series against Pakistan starting in June. Also included in the squad is fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who toured South Africa late last year with the national team but had to head back home due to a hamstring tear. Rangana Herath, who didn`t play in the Asia Cup, is back as well while allrounder Farveez Maharoof does not find a place.

Mendis, who also bowls leg-spin, has played 19 ODIs for Sri Lanka, averaging 19.18 with the bat and picking up 14 wickets. He last played for them in the ODI series against Pakistan in the UAE in November 2011. Since then he`s played on the domestic circuit, representing Tamil Union, chipping in with handy contributions in the middle order and taking wickets in all three formats.

Pradeep hasn`t played an ODI for Sri Lanka but went wicketless in his only Test, against Pakistan last year. After having to leave from the tour of South Africa, he had a three-month lay-off. Returning to domestic cricket in March this year, he`s played a first-class game and three Twenty20s.

Fernando played two Tests and an ODI on the tour of South Africa and was named in the provisional squad of 30 for the upcoming series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He has broken through in to the 15 for the Pakistan series, but Ajantha Mendis - who, too, was part of the provisional squad - has not.

Sri Lanka play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and three Tests against Pakistan. For the T20s, they brought back left-arm seamer Isuru Udana - who last played for the national team in the 2009 World T20 - and legspinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who hasn`t played for the national side since 2007.

BDST: 2032 HRS, May 24, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor