Sri Lanka add three uncapped spinners into the squad ahead of the second Test against Australia

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have included Maheesh Theekshana, Lakshitha Manasinghe, and Dunith Wellalage in the Test squad ahead of the second Test against Australia in Galle.

The inclusion of the three spinners came on the back of another COVID-19 positive result in the Lankan camp. On July 4, it was confirmed by the SLC that left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama tested positive for COVID-19. In just under 24 hours, Sri Lanka have decided to draft Theekshana, Wellalage, and Manasinghe into the squad.

The Sri Lankan spinners were picked apart by the Australian batters in the first Test, and the incoming trio will be hoping to make their mark in the next match. 

"Maheesh Theekshana, Lakshitha Manasinghe, and Dunith Wellalage have been drafted into the Test squad. They joined the team yesterday (July 4)," the SLC stated in a release.

SLC have also decided to drop left-arm spinner- Lasith Embuldeniya, who started the year as the team's best bowler with the red ball but was picked apart by the Australian batters in the first Test. Embuldeniya struggled the most out of all Lankan spinners as he went wicketless after bowling just 15 overs in the entire match.

"Lasith Embuldeniya was released from the squad," the release added.

Out of the three spinners in the Test squad, Wellalage is a readymade replacement for Embuldeniya as a left-arm finger spinner.

Wellalage emerged as Sri Lanka's best bowler in the five-match ODI series win over Australia last month, taking nine wickets at 22.33 in his maiden series.

The teenage finger spinner troubled Australia with his variations and showed his ability with the bat. His inclusion will add to Sri Lanka's batting depth, considering their collapse in the first Test's second innings.

Uncapped at the Test level, mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana would also present a different challenge for the visitors if selected after being added as an extended squad member.