Sri Lanka drop Angelo Mathews for England ODIs

Mathews was the team's captain during the Asia Cup 2018, where Sri Lanka crashed out after heavy defeats to Bangladesh and Afghanistan – he was subsequently asked to step down from the role and make way for Dinesh Chandimal,who was out of the Asia Cup with an injury, to take the reins.

Mathews has been among Sri Lanka's best ODI batsmen in recent times – in the last 12 months he has scored 468 runs from 11 matches at a fine 66.85, well clear of second-placed Upul Tharanga's 36.33.

Mathews has, however, been retained in the 16-man Test squad, which also includes Kaushal Silva, who last played a Test in October 2016, and Malinda Pushpakumara, who has played only two Tests till date. Lahiru Kumara has been included but his participation is subject to fitness.

Mathews, No.25 on the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for batsmen, was also the leading run-scorer from either side in the recent ODIs at home against South Africa, scoring 235 runs from five matches, including a match-winning 97* in the final match.

Among other changes, batsman Kusal Mendis and Shehan Jayasuriya were left out while Sadeera Samarawickrama was recalled. Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep was also brought back with Suranga Lakmal left out. In the spin department, Dilruwan Perera was dropped to make way for Lakshan Sandakan.

Mendis and Lakmal were named as stand-bys alongside Shehan Madushanka, Dimuth Karunaratne and Jeffrey Vandersay.

ODI squad: 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

Test squad: 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)