Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 15-member Test squad for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand. Former captain Dinesh Chandimal has returned to the national squad.
Just a few days ago, SLC revealed the 22-man preliminary squad for this upcoming Test series. On Friday (9th August), they have cut down that squad to 15 members. From that 22-man squad, the selectors have dropped Danushka Gunathilaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera, Angelo Perera, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando.
In the ongoing three-day tour match against New Zealand at Katunayake,
Sri Lanka Board President’s XI opener Danushka Gunathilaka scored 98 runs in the first innings. But the selectors have still omitted him from the squad.
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Dimuth Karunaratne will continue his Test captaincy. In the previous Test series in South Africa, Sri Lanka whitewashed the hosts in the two-match Test series under Karunaratne’s captaincy. They became the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa.
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews returned to the Sri Lanka Test squad
Dinesh Chandimal has made his international comeback. The right-handed batsman played his last international match during the Test series against the hosts Australia in last February. The 29-year-old Chandimal is currently struggling with his batting form. In his last five Tests, Chandimal scored 126 runs with an average of just 14.00. He hit only one half-century in that period. Chandimal hit his last Test century in June 2018 during the Gros Islet Test against Windies.
Due to his poor batting form, Chandimal also missed the recently concluded World Cup squad. Even in domestic cricket, he is still struggling to play big knocks.
The selectors have also named another former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews for the upcoming Test series. Mathews missed the last Test series against the hosts South Africa due to his hamstring injury.
Recently, the 32-year-old Mathews has performed well for the national team in limited-overs cricket. He was the second most run-scorer (244 runs) for Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. The right-handed batsman also recently won the Player of the Series award after finishing as the leading run-scorer (187 runs) in the three-match home ODI series against Bangladesh.
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Akila Dananjaya played the last Test in November 2018
Akila Dananjaya has also earned the call-up in the Test squad. He has missed out this format since the last November after the ICC suspended him for illegal bowling action. After modifying his bowling action, Dananjaya has already played T20I and ODIs.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand will start the forthcoming Test series on 14th August. It will be their opening Test series in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship competition (2019-21).
Sri Lankan fast-bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake will play the interim coach role in this series.
Sri Lanka’s 15-member Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando
The Test series schedule of New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka in 2019
(Two-match Test series)
14th-18th August 2019: 1st Test – Galle International Stadium (Galle)
22nd-26th August 2019: 2nd Test – P. Sara Oval (Colombo)