Sri Lanka national selectors have announced a 15-member squad to play in the 2-match Test series against Ireland, according to reliable sources.
The star opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne will continue to lead the Sri Lankan contingent, but he will miss the services of his regular opening partners Pathum Nissanka and Oshada Fernando as both of them have been overlooked by the selectors for this series.
Nishan Madushka who made his Test debut during the recently concluded New Zealand series has retained his place while wicket-keeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama has replaced Niroshan Dickwella in the squad.
The left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya who was not part of the Sri Lanka Test squad for the New Zealand series has returnedq strengthening the Sri Lankan spin attack.
The 28-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder Hemantha who impressed the selectors during the recently concluded England Lions tour of Sri Lanka with eye-catching bowling performances, has earned his maiden national call-up.
Hemanth has played 44 first-class matches where he managed to accumulate 1993 runs at 31.63 while picking up 98 wickets. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has yet to officially announce the squad.
Sri Lanka Test Squad
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushan Hemantha
The 2-match Test series will be played from the 16th to the 28th April. Both Test matches will be played at Galle International Cricket Stadium.
