The 15-member squad for the first Test in the two-match Test series against New Zealand has been announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday.
The former Sri Lanka Test Captains, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews, who did not take part in the last Test Series in South Africa, have been added in the squad.
- In – Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Akila Dhananjaya, Lahiru Kumara
- Out – Chamika Karunaratne, Angelo Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Mohamed Shiraz, Milinda Siriwardana
The first Test match will commence on the 14th August 2019 at the Galle Cricket Stadium and this series carries more value for both teams as it will be the curtain-raiser for the ICC World Test Championship 2019-21 for both teams.
The young left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya will be the main spinner for the hosts, along with Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan. Dhananjaya De Silva provides another reliable off-spin option.
Suranga Lakmal will the more experienced seamer out of the three fast-bowlers included in the 15-member squad. Fastest bowler in the country, Lahiru Kumara and left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando complete the rest of the seam attack.
Sri Lanka Squad for 1st Test
Dimuth Karunaratne – Captain, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando
Danushka Gunathilaka, who excelled with the bat, scoring an electrifying knock of 98, in the warm-up game between SLC President’s XI vs New Zealand, has not succeeded in booking a place in the Test squad, despite being in the 22-member initial squad.
Discarded players from preliminary squad – Angelo Perera, Danushka Gunathilake, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando.
Discarded players from preliminary squad – Angelo Perera, Danushka Gunathilake, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilruwan Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando.
Both the Test matches will be live-streamed through ThePapare.com for the fans in Sri Lanka.
