The very conspicuous omissions of spin prodigies Akila Dananjaya and Dunith Wellalage from Sri Lanka’s test and ODI and T20 teams in this year’s last home series’ versus Bangladesh was highly questionable.
Sri Lanka won the test series 1-0 but having to shrug off a close draw in the first test at Galle where key spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was not among the wickets before bouncing back in Colombo to bowling Sri Lanka to victory.
A pertinent factor as to both Dananjaya and Wellalage not been given an opportunity in the short format ODI and T20 series’ was bad where the head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and skipper Charith Asalanka looked down on both Dananjaya and Wellalage as not good enough to be selected.
The question why nyo place for Akila Dananjaya whose form consistency showcased by 37 wickets in the country’s premier domestic tournament does sound a big stink.
Similarly, the leaving out of Wellalage is as much a big stink where the contention of the head coach and captain was that Wellalage could play only if the pitch was conducive for spin at the Premadasa International Stadium which is highly unacceptable where the venue has been traditionally known to take spin as the pitch wears off; snd what more Wellalage having proved it so in the past having spun out the likes of India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma by an incredible bout of bowling.
By and large, Akila Dananjaya the champion bowler of the domestic tournament denied recognition as well as Sri Lanka’s great match winner Dunith Wellalage at the very same venue where he brought the hone crowd roaring to their feet leaves a big question mark whether form is not the criteria for selection.