Sri Lanka Test squad to include four rookies
The selection committee of Sri Lanka Cricket has picked a squad of 22 players for the upcoming two-match Test series against the visiting West Indies, which begins next Sunday. Under opener Dimuth Karunaratne, the selectors have named four rookies — Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, Suminda Lakshan and Chamika Gunasekara.
Making comebacks to the Test side are former skippers Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal and middle-order batsman Roshen Silva, who could bolster Sri Lanka’s batting strength. The selectors have included four spinners into the squad, namely Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandaken and newcomer Suminda Lakshan, who is more of an allrounder in the domestic field. Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and rookie Chamika Gunasekara have been named as the fast bowlers.
With few allround options in Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne and Test rookie Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka may hope to bank their hopes in claiming a series win in the two-match Test series.
Asalanka, the well known name among the four rookies for his fireworks at the ICC T20 World Cup, which ends today in Dubai, has appeared in eight ODIs and nine T20s for
Sri Lanka. He turns out for SSC at domestic level and has featured in 39 first class matches and has 1752 runs as a left-hand bat and 30 wickets as a right-arm off-spinner to his name.
Kamil Mishara, opens for Panadura SC at domestic tournaments, and has appeared in five first class matches. He has scored 340 runs at an average of 48.57 with three half centuries. Still 20, the left-hand bat and right-arm off-spinner, represented Sri Lanka Under-19s after his prolific school career at Royal College.
Suminda Lakshan, who turns out for Army SC at domestic level, comes into the squad as a leg-spinner. At 24, he has appeared in 29 first class games and has a reputation as a batsman than a spinner. Lakshan has scored 1488 runs and has four centuries under his belt with the best of 221, and has 56 scalps with the best of 5 for 85.
Chamika Gunasekara, of NCC, is a 21-year-old with a moderate record after five first class appearances. He has scored 56 runs, with a best knock of 50 and claimed eight wickets, with the best of 6 for 83 against the visiting Pakistan Shaheens at Pallekele last week.
The first Test match will be played from November 21 to 25 at Galle International Stadium, followed by the second, from November 29 to December 3 at the same venue.
| Sri Lanka Test squad | |
| Dimuth Karunaratne (Capt), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Minod Bhanuka, Kamil Mishara, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya Lakshan Sandakan, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara
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