The Sri Lankan regular skipper Angelo Mathews and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal have made a comeback to the Test squad for South Africa series after missing the Test and Tri-series in Zimbabwe. This will now relieve Rangana Herath, who led the team in two Tests against Zimbabwe from the captaincy duties.
Selectors have also called up uncapped bowler Vikum Sanjaya for the three-match Tests series. Sanjaya is a 24-year old right arm fast bowler who has an expense of playing 17 first-class games in which he has scalped 38 wickets at an average of 33.78. It is said that Sanjaya’s outswing has been a great weapon for him in past few years and also the main reason why he has been selected for the tough tour ahead.
He will be the part of five-member pace attack fo Sri Lanka comprising of Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara. Kumara has also played just 2 Test matches and five first-class games in his short career. He made his debut in the Test debut against Zimbabwe where he scalped four wickets.
The first Test of the series will be a boxing day Test to be played at Port Elizabeth before both the teams fly to Cape Town to kick off the second Test on the second day of the new year. The third and the final Test will be played in New Wanderers Stadium at Johannesburg. Three T20Is and five ODIs follows the Test series.
Sri Lanka squad for Test matches: Angelo Mathews (capt.), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath.