Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 16-man Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh which starts on January 31st.
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Fast-bowler Suranga Lakmal has been named as the vice-captain for the first time to assist Dinesh Chandimal while Lahiru Thirimanne who was the vice-captain during the Indian series last month has been dropped along with young opening batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Suranga Lakmal the lion heart
Leave alone missing a match at Dharamshala, you don’t want to skip a training session here. The public get to watch only the picturesque ground…
Lakmal has been one of the best performers for Sri Lanka in Tests and warranted a regular place in the side. On a green track at Eden Gardens against India, Lakmal took 7 wickets in both innings which was one of the best bowling spells of 2017.
Under Dinesh Chandimal’s captaincy, Sri Lanka has done well in the longest format of the game. Recently, they lost their three-match Test series, 1-0 against India in India and before that, whitewashed Pakistan, 2-0 in their adopted home in the UAE.
Thirimanne played the first two Tests against India in Calcutta and Nagpur managing just one half-century in four innings and was dropped for the final game in Delhi.
Young batting prodigy Kusal Mendis who was overlooked for the Tests against India has been recalled to the side while Samarawickrama who failed to post a substantial score in all 6 innings as an opening batsman has been axed.
Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya has received a maiden Test call-up following some decent ODI performances while speedsters Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera have also been drafted into the side.
There was no place for all-rounder Asela Gunaratne in the squad. The 32-year-old was sidelined for five months after fracturing his thumb while fielding during the Galle Test against India. He made a comeback during the ODI leg of the Indian tour and was named for the tri-nation series in Bangladesh, but was overlooked for the Test series.
The first Test match will be played from 31st January to 04th February in Chittagong, while the second Test match will be played from 08th to 12th February in Dhaka.
Sri Lanka Test squad
Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal (Vice-Captain), Dilruwan Perera, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Lahiru Kumara
 announced a 16-man Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh which starts on January 31st.){kind=link}