Test cap for Dushan Hemantha against Ireland?
Dushan Hemantha
Dushan Hemantha, the leg-break bowler from BRC who rose to fame during Sri Lanka ‘A’ side’s home series against England Lions earlier this year, is likely to earn the Test call-up for the two-match Test series against Ireland. Both matches of the Ireland series will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, a traditionally spin-friendly wicket, starting on April 16.
Hemantha, a former St. Peter’s College cricketer, also represents Team Dambulla in the National Super League. He played a key role in Sri Lanka ‘A’ clinching the three-match limited over series 2-1 against England Lions. He picked up 11 wickets conceding 126 runs, including a best of 5 for 43 in the second game.
In his first class career, the 28-year-old has taken 98 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls in 44 games, while in List ‘A’ he has taken 64 wickets in 58 games. His inclusion means the chance of spinner Praveen Jayawickrema making it to the side is remote with Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya being considered as three frontline spinners.
Batter Nishan Madushka, who made his Test debut in New Zealand in the recent series has retained his place in the side and is expected to open batting with skipper Dimuth Karunaratne. Madushka batted as a lower middle-order batter, replacing out-of-form Niroshan Dickwell in his maiden match. He scored 19 and 39. But he will now be promoted up the order.
Turning out for Sri Lanka ‘A’, Madushanka produced innings of 241 and 100, while also hitting 150 against the same opposition representing a Board President’s XI which earned him his maiden call up for the senior side.
With Madushka being promoted, the doors have been opened for wicket-keeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrema to join the Test side and probably make his first appearance since 2017 as team’s wicket-keeper. He played four Tests for Sri Lanka in 2017 but has since struggled to make a comeback.
Pathum Nissanka will miss out a place in the 15 once again. He had made an impressive start to his Test career, scoring 537 runs across 15 innings, and was a mainstay in the Sri Lankan top order until mid 2022. Thereafter, a sub-par showing against Australia at home, where he scored just 43 runs in three innings (combined with a bout of Covid-19) saw him being omitted for Sri Lanka’s next two Tests against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka have understandably sought to forego pace in favour of spin for the Ireland series. Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Karunaratne are all out with selectors retaining Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and uncapped Milan Ratnayake in the side.
Although Vishwa and Milan travelled to New Zealand, both did not play any part in the two-match series that saw New Zealand nailing it 2-0. Apart from Oshada Fernando and Dickwella, the rest of the batting remains the same. Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis have all
been retained.