In Galle, Sri Lanka will play Australia in a two-match Test series. This Wednesday, January 29, is the start of the first Test.
Uncapped players Sonal Dinusha and Lahiru Udara were selected by the host team for the 18-man roster. Udara has played in just one T20I, but Dinusha has not yet made his international debut. Pathum Nissanka, who suffered a groin strain while batting during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on January 11, is working to recover in time.
Nissanka’s opening batsman Udara has been selected as a possible backup. In 97 first-class games, the former has amassed 6,665 runs at an average of 41.14.
In 44 first-class matches, Sonal Dinusha has amassed 2,285 runs and claimed 94 wickets.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, meanwhile, is also recovering from an injury. He retired from a first-class match less than two weeks ago due to a side strain.
Prabath Jayasuriya will front the spin attack, assisted by off-spinner Nishan Peiris and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay. Meanwhile, the Lankan Lions have four seam-bowling options: Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Asitha Fernando.
The second game will mark Dimuth Karunaratne’s 100th Test participation. Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, and Kusal Mendis are expected to be in the batting order. Additionally, Sadeera Samarawickrama was selected to provide the batting lineup more depth. Additionally, if necessary, he may put on the wicketkeeping gloves.
Sri Lanka will no longer be competing in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Later this year, South Africa and Australia will square off in the championship match. In the Test match versus Sri Lanka, the reigning champions can only lose it if they score an absurdly high number of over-rate penalty points.
Sri Lanka squad for Australia Test series: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka (subject to fitness), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.
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