Sri Lanka Announces Squad For Two-Match Test Series Against New Zealand
Sri Lankan Cricket Team (Source: Twitter)
With still some hope left for the Sri Lankan side to qualify for World Test Championship finals, the Island Nation will stride to play their last series against New Zealand in March.
The two-match Test series will begin on 9th of March in Christchurch whereas the second game will be played at Wellington from 17th March, the squad for which has been revealed.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will welcome back Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis into the setup after a gap of eight months as they previously featured against Pakistan in July.
Moreover, Nishan Madushka and Milan Rathnayake have been received their maiden call-up into the squad as well.
Sri Lanka's hopes rest with India and Australia series as the former's win in the next Tests will give the side chance to claim the second spot provided they win both their games too.
Apart from the Test series, the teams will be involved in three ODI's and as many T20I games.
Lanka haven't been successful on the Kiwi shores as much with just two wins from last 19 matches they have played on that soil. But with as many as six pace bowling options in the squad, they would fancy their chances this time around.
What Press Release from the squad stated
"The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee selected the following 17-member test squad to take part in the two-match test series of the upcoming Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2023. The Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Roshan Ranasinghe, approved the squad. The team will depart for New Zealand on February 27, 2023."
Sri Lanka squad for NZ Tests:
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
.jpg?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")