Sri Lanka name strong XI for first Australia T20I
Experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka will captain Sri Lanka during the series, with IPL stars Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapaksa also included in the final XI.
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Classy duo Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are named in the Sri Lanka top six, while there is no debut just yet for teenage quick Matheesha Pathirana.
Pathirana caught the eye with a distinctive bowling style very similar to Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga while playing for Chennai Super Kings at the recent IPL, but he will have to wait for his chance to impress.
Sri Lanka fell to a 4-1 defeat during a five-game series in Australia earlier this year, but are expected to perform more strongly on home soil with games scheduled for Colombo and Galle.
Australia named their XI for the series opener on Monday, with Aaron Finch captaining a strong side that is missing first-choice spinner Adam Zampa and Test skipper Pat Cummins.
**Sri Lanka XI:**Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
