Sri Lanka have also declared their team in the three-match T20I series upcoming against England and Pavan Rathnayake has been brought back after his remarkable performance in the ODI series. The young batter came back into the T20I team following his unforgettable 121 off 115 balls during the third ODI with England, a performance that brought to the fore the form and confidence that the player had at the international stage.

Nevertheless, there were also some significant absentees in the squad announcement. T20I-wise Nuwan Thushara, a fast bowler, Kamindu Mendis, a batting allrounder and Dushan Hemantha, a legspinner have been excluded in the squad. It is especially crucial that Thushara was left out because within the previous two years, Thushara became a regular in Sri Lankan T20I teams. This omission seems to stem out of a series of low-profile performances since September which have made selectors consider alternative pace options before the ICC Men T20 World Cup.

Although he has not done a T20I since September, left-arm spinning allrounder Dunith Wellalage has maintained his position in the squad. The selectors have been supporting Wellalage on his overall potential, particularly in the ability to play with both bat and ball on middle overs. He will also be a member of a good spin attack, which also encompasses the Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, the major spin weapons of Sri Lanka in the short form.

To give a spin department an added depth are Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka, both of which have useful finger-spin alternatives to their batting roles. This mix provides them with the flexibility in their bowling strategies in areas which favor spin in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka have chosen to accomplish this in the pace department through a combination of experience and youth. The fast-bowling team will be headed by Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana with the assistance of Pramod Madushan and Eshan Malinga. The fact that Eshan Malinga is included indicates that the Sri Lankans want to give a test to the new fast-bowling talent on their way to major ICC events.

Other than Rathnayake, the batting line up of Sri Lanka has not changed much. Kusal Perera comes back to the team in the single international format he now participates in, providing a veteran and a bang at the top of the order. The batting unit is also characterized by Pathum Nissaka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, and the leadership of Dasun Shanaka, which includes stability, power-hitting, and leadership.

Notably, Sri Lanka have not yet declared their final squad in the T20 world cup which will commence on February 7. The teams have a deadline of January 31 to effect free changes to the world cup squads. Any changes made beyond that deadline will need official consent of ICC and this series of England T2OIs will be an important chance to the players to lay down their cards.

The England series will hence have a crucial role to play in the final plans of Sri Lanka in the world cup where the selectors will be keen on the form, fitness and team balance.

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga