Sri Lanka announces squad for Australia Test Series

On June 25 (Saturday), Sri Lanka Cricket announced their 18-member squad for the 2-Match Test series against Australia at Galle.

The spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has earned a place in the side due to his impressive performances in the recently concluded ODI series against the Aussies. In four appearances, he picked up five wickets at an economy of 5.01 with the best figures of 3/49. He was accurate with his line and lengths and played a vital role in the team's 3-2 victory in the 50-overs series.

The experienced players like Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Chamika Karunaratne, and Dhananjaya de Silva will look to continue the same form in the red-ball format as well.

Asitha Fernando, who scalped 12 wickets in two matches against Bangladesh, has retained his place in the squad.

However, the likes of Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, and Suminda Lakshan failed to get a place in the squad.

Along with Vandersay, spinners like Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya and Ramesh Mendis will be on the lookout to be the consistent wicket-takers for the Sri Lanka team in the longest format.

Dunith Wellalage and Lakshitha Rasanjana are the standby players. Wellalage had returned with 9 wickets in the ODI series against Australia and was the leading wicket-taker.  

The first fixture of the Test series will get underway on June 29, and the last one will be played from July 8-12.

Currently, the Australian team is at top of the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle with 72 points. On the other hand, Sri Lanka sit in the fourth spot with 40 points.

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis,Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Standby players: Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Rasanjana

Fixtures:

June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle

8-12 July: Second Test, Galle