Image courtesy of: The Sunday Observer
Rambukwella is set to make his international debut
Newcomer Ramith Rambukwella and leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna have been included in Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 squad for their upcoming two-match series against New Zealand.
Rambukwella, who is an all-rounder, was selected for Sri Lanka’s home series against Bangladesh in March, but failed to play a single match.
Prasanna meanwhile has represented Sri Lanka in one Test match and nine ODIs, the most recent of which came in March 2012.
Both players impressed the national selectors when playing against New Zealand A in October as Rambukwella picked up 11 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 11.60, while Prasanna claimed six wickets at an outstanding average of 16.
Some of the players in that New Zealand A team included Colin Munro, Grant Elliott, Anton Devcich, Andrew Ellis and Luke Ronchi, all of whom will be representing New Zealand in the upcoming Twenty20 series.
Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, newcomer Ashan Priyanjan and spinner Rangana Herath have been dropped, while senior players like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan have all been retained.
The two-match Twenty20 series is scheduled to get underway on November 19 in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ramith Rambukwella, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara