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Pathum Nissanka And Ramesh Mendis Return As Sri Lanka Eyes Series Draw Against Australia

Kaushik Kashyap

Pathum Nissanka Returns From Injury. (Source- Sri Lanka Cricket/X.COM)Pathum Nissanka Returns From Injury. (Source- Sri Lanka Cricket/X.COM)

After losing the chance to regain the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy in the First Test of the two match series against Australia, Sri Lanka is eyeing a comeback in the Second Test in Galle which is scheduled to commence from Thursday, February 6.

The Sri Lankan selectors have made a couple of changes into the squad ahead of the anticipated second encounter against Australia, who are seeking a historic series win in Sri Lanka in more than a decade.

Spin all-rounder Ramesh Mendis has been added to the squad on the back of his performance in the on-going Major League Tournament, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic first-class competition. Mendis is expected to make it to the XI, bringing more experience for the host on a Galle pitch which is set to assist the spin bowlers way more than what we saw in the first game.

The 29-year-old all-rounder was dropped ahead of the series opener following a below par performance against New Zealand in November. However, with Australia scoring over 600 runs in the first test, the Lankans are trying to strengthen their bowling and recalled Mendis, who has taken 24 wickets at an average of 21.91 for Moors Sports Club in the domestic first-class tournament this season.

Pathum Nissanka Makes His Return

Additionally, opening batter Pathum Nissanka also makes his return after missing the first Test due to an injury. He was undergoing rehabilitation in Colombo for the groin strain he sustained during the T20I series against New Zealand in January and missed the first test.

Nissanka’s addition is surely going to give a boost to the Lankan batting line-up but it will take a significant effort from the entire unit to turn things around from what was the biggest innings defeat in history for the host.

Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando and top-order batter Lahiru Udara have been released from the 18-men squad

Even though Sri Lanka has lost to get their hands back on the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, they can strive to draw the two-match Test series and give a sweet farewell to Dimuth Karunaratne, who will be playing his 100th and the last test of his career.

Meanwhile, Australia, who hasn't won a series in Sri Lanka in the last 14 years, will be looking to continue their dominance and finish the World Test Championship League Stage on a high with the Final to be played later this year.