The 16-player Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand was revealed on Monday, September 16. The series is scheduled to start on September 18. After more than a year away from playing for Sri Lanka, batsman Oshada Fernando returned to the Test team in March 2023.
He scored 122 and 80 runs, respectively, in the match against South Africa A last week, demonstrating his excellent form right now. Nishan Madushka, who struggled with the bat in the most recent series against England, was replaced by him. The 25-year-old was also removed from the starting lineup and has been replaced.
Nisala Tharaka and Kasun Rajitha have also been left out of Sri Lanka’s Test team. Rajitha was a key member of the Test team and appeared unstoppable at one time last year, but his form has since declined and Sri Lanka has taken his place as the pacer, who did not play a single match in the England series.
The departing Oshada, meanwhile, participated in 21 Test matches for Sri Lanka and amassed 1091 runs at a 33.06 average. The cricketer may have to wait for his chance even though he is currently in excellent form because the batting lineup appears to be loaded. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are unstoppable right now, while Dimuth Karunaratne has an excellent record at home.
In contrast, the spinners will be crucial in the match against New Zealand. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, for example, are still unavailable for selection.
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In the forthcoming series, the hosts will also be without a few important pacers. Nevertheless, the team will be quite confident going into the New Zealand series after winning the third Test against England.
Sri Lanka squad for New Zealand series:
Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.
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