Sri Lanka denounce Thirimanne, Asalanka from Bangladesh Tests

Charith Asalanka and the experienced Lahiru Thirimanne have been omitted from the Sri Lankan squad picked for the upcoming test series against Bangladesh. While Asalanka is recovering from a knee injury, Thirimanne's exclusion comes as a result of indisciplined actions by the veteran southpaw.  

Despite showing a lot of promise in white-ball cricket, Asalanka hasn't been able to adhere to the demands of the longest format in his 3-match long test career so far. However, his early success in ODIs and T20s tempted the selectors to draft him in tests. Still, unfortunately, this move backfired severely as the 24-year-old managed to score only 88 runs across 6 test innings at a very ordinary average of 14.67. 

Secondly, as he is recovering from an injury, his exclusion indicates that the board doesn't want to push him into tests, and it's an attempt to provide him ample time to concentrate fully on the shorter formats. As a result, the 33-year-old Roshen Silva has replaced Asalanka in the squad. Silva, who played his last test against Australia back in 2019, has a decent batting average of 35.10 in 12 matches. 

On the other hand, Kamil Mishara has been picked as the replacement for Thirimanne. The latter was removed from the 23-member squad following his casual decision to travel overseas without the board's prior approval. 

After having three good series against England, West Indies and Bangladesh, the left-handed batter from Moratuwa struggled badly against India as he managed to score just 25 runs in 4 innings of the 2-match series. Therefore, he has been asked to participate in Sri Lanka's domestic competition and earn his recall by performing well in the tournament. 

Sri Lanka has boosted its spin department by selecting five top-class spinners in Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffery Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana Manasinghe and Sumida Lakshan. 

But their fast bowling unit looks inexperienced in the absence of Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera. However, they have skilled individuals like Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madhushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Shiran Fernando and Mohamed Shiraz. 

This test series will be the first assignment for Chris Silverwood as Sri Lanka's head coach. The Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne, currently representing Yorkshire in the County Championship, will join the national side just before the test series commencing on May 15. 

Preliminary 23-member Test Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Shiran Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffery Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana Manasinghe, Sumida Lakshan

Sri Lanka has also announced a 32-member emerging squad for the England tour mentioned below. 

Emerging Team Tour of England- 32-member Preliminary Squad: Kamil Mishara (wk), Lasith Croospulle, Nishan Madushka, Johanne de Zilva, Kamindu Mendis, Nipun Dananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Perera, M. de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Avishka Tharindu, Dinuka Dilshan, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Kavishka Anjula, Santhush Gunathilake, Movin Subasinghe, Kalana Perera, Amish de Silva, Nipun Malinga, Edith Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Yasiru Rodrigo, Kavindu Dilahara, Nipun Ransika, Kavindu Pathirathne, Dilum Sudeera, Asian Daniel, Lakshitha Rasanjana Manasinghe, Kaumal Nanayakkara, Sumida Lakshan, T. Vithushan