Fernando has been in impressive form as of late

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sri Lanka have called up uncapped batsman Avishka Fernando for the first two ODIs against Australia on Sunday and Wednesday.

Fernando, 18, has not played any first-class or List A cricket as of yet, but he caught the eye of the selectors with his performance during Sri Lanka Under-19’s Youth ODI series against England Under-19 as he struck consecutive centuries in the second and third ODIs.

Fernanado is not the only uncapped player Sri Lanka have drafted into their squad as left-arm spinner Amila Aponso has also been brought in. The 23-year-old took 13 wickets against South Africa Emerging XI in a four-day game in Potchefstroom last week and claimed eight wickets in the one-day matches on the same tour.

Meanwhile, there were recalls for all-rounders Milinda Siriwardana and Thisara Perera after they were dropped for the ODI series against England in June-July. Veteran all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan is also back after he skipped the tour of England due to personal reasons.

However, there was no space in the squad for Dasun Shanaka, Farveez Maharoof, Suraj Randiv and Chaminda Bandara.

Sri Lanka squad for first two ODIs: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milinda Siriwardana, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Avishka Fernando, Amila Aponso