Sri Lanka announced their Test squad for a two-Test match series against South Africa. The series will kickstart in Durban, marking the Sri Lankan cricket team’s first test match in the Rainbow Nation after a two-year gap.
More than two years after his last Test match, left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya has been selected for Sri Lanka’s two Test matches in South Africa. Offspinner Nishan Peiris, who debuted in Test matches against New Zealand in September, is also included in the team.
But another off-spin bowling option, Ramesh Mendis, is not included in the squad, despite a great test debut performance. The star of Sri Lanka’s home test series win against New Zealand in September, Prabhat Jayasuriya, will lead the spin contingent of Sri Lanka in South Africa.
Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, and Milan Rathnayake are fast bowling options for Sri Lanka for the South Africa series.
In the batting order, Oshada Fernando, who is making a comeback to the team, will take responsibility of facing the new ball, alongside Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka.
In senior players, captain Dhananjaya de Silva will be leading the squad with the help of veteran Sri Lankan stars Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal.
Sri Lanka Squad for Test Series in South Africa
Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
This test series is vital for Sri Lanka because they have a good chance of making it to the WTC Final for the first time, and if they win it, then there is an extreme possibility of finishing in the top two spots of the WTC 2023-25 Standings.
The first test match of the series is scheduled to begin on 27 November in Kinsmead, Durban.
