'He's not timid': Six players to watch for Sri Lanka

A new-look Sri Lanka will take on Australia in the Dettol T20I Series that starts Friday night and, with only eight months until their opening match of the T20 World Cup, the Lions will be out to make an early impression.

The Sri Lankan selectors have thrown their faith in youth, leaving out established international players Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva. 

Only eight of the 20 players in their squad have previously played international cricket in Australia.   

And former Sri Lanka batter Russel Arnold sees the five-match T20 series as the perfect preparation for the inexperienced squad.

"It's a great opportunity for them," Arnold told cricket.com.au.  "They're all players who hardly have played in alien conditions. They're all trying to make a name for themselves.  

"This is where you show that you're a part of international cricket." 

Arnold, who will be in the commentary box for Fox Cricket and Kayo, has identified some key players who look set to be in for a big series.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga went into last year's T20 World Cup as the number one bowler in the ICC rankings, and he lived up to the title. 

He finished the tournament with 16 wickets, more than any other player, and took them at an average of 9.75 and an economy rate of only 5.20.  

But as Arnold points out, this series will be a new challenge for the 24-year-old who has only played two international matches in Australia.

"It's going to be a new experience for him, coming out here and playing in these conditions," Arnold said. 

"He doesn't need too much off the pitch, he's a wicket-to-wicket bowler and bowls a good wrong'un. And that's the kind of delivery that a lot of people struggle to pick." 

While Hasaranga's performance at the T20 World Cup and his rise to the top of rankings might have been unexpected to all but the keenest observers of Sri Lankan cricket, Arnold was not surprised.

"He's the guy we've been relying on as Sri Lankans," Arnold said.  

"Quietly, he's been making it. He's keeping up to the expectations or the belief that he's created about himself. He's got a good attitude, and unlike most Sri Lankans, he's not timid. 

"He's kind of a street fighter, always looking to make things happen and he'll look to compete. That's the kind of quality that's pushing him on and on. 

Charith Asalanka

Sri Lanka's other standout player from the T20 World Cup was top order batter Charith Asalanka.   

Entering the tournament with only three T20Is to his name, the classy left-hander piled on 231 runs to finish as the fifth-highest run scorer.

The 24-year-old made his debut for Sri Lanka in all three formats in 2021 and has a long future in the national side, according to Arnold.  

"He's just a good player. He's not a slogger. He plays good shots, he scores runs off good balls," Arnold said.

"A lot of players these days come out and swing hard using a heavy bat, but this guy will play cricketing shots. And that's why he excites us a lot. And why we're looking to him for all three formats."

On the back of his success in 2021, Asalanka has been elevate to vice-captain for this tour, a move that Arnold sees as the right one.  

"He was Sri Lanka's Under 19 captain, and that's the type of player and person he is," he added.

"Looking at our squad, looking at all the players that we do have, we need to look at the future.  

"Having him there or grooming him is the way forward, rather than going back to tried and tested customers that have always persisted with. 

Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana is another of the Sri Lankan squad whose international career is just beginning, having made his debut in both ODIs and T20 internationals last September.

Dubbed a 'mystery spinner', 21-year-old Theekshana had lots of success in the early stages of the T20 World Cup before his wickets dried up in the latter stages.  

But he is no certainty to start in Sri Lanka's XI. 

"It will depend on the pitches," Arnold says.

"But they (Sri Lanka) will look at every opportunity to play him. He bowls with the new ball and together with Hasaranga, they work well together.  

"He is not a great turner of the ball, but he gets the ball to skip through and he is difficult to pick.

"He's 21 too, so he's also pretty raw. In the T20 World Cup he was outstanding. But as the tournament went on, he didn't pick up the wickets that he normally picks up.

"So it's up to him to keep evolving and make sure that he's beating the rest."

Avishka Fernando

Right-handed batter Avishka Fernando burst onto the scene at the 2019 ODI World Cup, impressing with his attacking play and century against the West Indies.

However, the 23-year-old has struggled to perform on a regular basis since, especially in T20Is where his batting average is only 12.50 from 30 matches.  

But Arnold believes there's a lot to like about Fernando, who will take on more responsibility at the top of the order in the absence of Kusal Perera.

"I'd like to see Avishka Fernando actually taking control now that he is at the top of the order," Arnold said.

He's an instinctive player, but he's not been consistent enough.  

"When he gets going, he's really good to watch. Aussies will enjoy watching him.

"If he gets going it means there's no issues with the run rate either. And with a lot of young guys around, that can be important to allow them to settle in." 

Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara

While Hasaranga and Theekshana will be important, this Sri Lankan attack isn't reliant on spin bowlers. 

In Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, the Lankans have two bowlers capable of pushing the speed gun over 140kph.

Chameera, 30, took seven wickets at the T20 World Cup and Kumara, 24, took eight.

"Early in his (Chameera's) career, he was plagued with injuries," Arnold said. 

"But lately, over the last couple of years, he's stayed fit and he's improved. Not only his pace has increased, but he's got the variations that he pulls out at the toughest times.

"So seeing him in these conditions will be exciting."

However, given their pace, using the two in tandem has proved expensive for Sri Lanka in the past.  

Kumara played one T20I on Sri Lanka's last tour here in 2019 and conceded 49 runs from his four overs.

"They'd like to use Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara together. And they tried that at the T20 World Cup. But good players, if you're predictable, they'll get onto you."

"So if Kumara's been able to improve then he'll definitely be there, along with Chameera trying to ruffle the Australian batsman.  

"You'd like to think that Hasaranga, Kumara, Chameera, Theekshana; they'll all be wicket-takers so it's an attacking line-up."

Dettol T20 Series v Sri Lanka 2022

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head*, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa * unavailable for first three matches

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando

February 11: First T20, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT

February 13: Second T20, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT

February 15: Third T20, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT

February 18: Fourth T20, MCG, 7.10pm AEDT

February 20: Fifth T20, MCG, 5.10pm AEDT

All matches broadcast exclusively on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports. Radio coverage by ABC Grandstand