Upul Tharanga to lead Sri Lanka in SA ODIs….

Upul Tharanga was named captain of Sri Lanka for the five-match one-day international series against South Africa starting at Port Elizabeth on January 28.

The left-hand-batsman who has appeared in 193 ODIs for his country replaces injured captain Angelo Mathews who has returned home on personal grounds.

Mathews had informed the management of Sri Lanka Cricket that he may need to take time off to be with his family.

A hamstring injury in the 2nd T20 on Sunday ruled Mathews out of the tour forcing the skipper to make an early exit from South Africa.

Both Nuwan Pradeep and Dhanushka Gunathilaka also returned to Sri Lanka on Tuesday owing to injuries.

The national selectors picked the following players to join the squad in South Africa as replacement for the three injured players – Sandun Weerakkody, Lahiru Madushanka and Chathuranga de Silva.

The ODI match schedule: January 28 – Port Elizabeth, February 1 – Durban, February 4 – Johannesburg, February 7 – Cape Town, February 10 – Centurion.