Rajitha, Embuldeniya recalled for Test series in South Africa

Wednesday, 20 November 2024 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka name 17-member squad

Fast bowler Kasun Rajitha and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya have been recalled to the Sri Lanka Test squad of 17 players picked for the tour to South Africa later this month.

Sri Lanka are due to play two Tests at Kingsmead, Durban from 27 November to 1 December, and at St George’s Park, Gqeberha from 5-9 December. Both Tests are part of the World Test Championship and are of equal importance to Sri Lanka and South Africa, who are in the running to qualify for a place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next year.

Off-spinner Nishan Peiris, who replaced Ramesh Mendis for the second Test against New Zealand at Galle and made a memorable debut with figures of 6/170 in the second innings and nine wickets in the match, retains his place along with left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya as the support spinners for Prabath Jayasuriya. Embuldeniya has been recalled to the Test squad after a lapse of two years.

Fast bowler Kasun Rajitha, who did not play a single Test on the tour to England and was left out of the home series against New Zealand, also makes a comeback.

Knowing the nature of wickets in South Africa would favour pace, Sri Lanka has named four specialist fast bowlers: Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Rajitha, along with fast-bowling all-rounder Milan Rathnayake.

Ramesh Mendis and Jeffrey Vandersay are the two players left out of the squad that played the last Test series against New Zealand at home. The batting line-up remains untouched with nine specialist batsmen named in the squad.

Already, 10 players (who are not part of white-ball cricket) are in Durban preparing for the Test series. They will be joined by the rest of the squad that is due to leave for South Africa on 22 November. – [ST]

Sri Lanka Test Squad to South Africa

Batsmen

Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama

Spinners

Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya

All-Rounder

Milan Rathnayake

Fast Bowlers

Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha