Sri Lanka announce squad for Australia Test series

• Kusal Perera in for injured Mathews; Danushka Gunathilaka dropped

Kusal Perera has been recalled to Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia, starting on 24 January in Brisbane.

A similar looking squad that toured New Zealand in the recently concluded Test series which Sri Lanka lost 1-0, will travel to Australia for another two-Test affair. 

Kusal Perera, who has played 13 Tests for Sri Lanka, has come in in place of the injured Angelo Mathews, who recently was forced to retire hurt on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand at Christchurch due to hamstring discomfort.

The scans later revealed that Mathews sustained a grade two strain in his left hamstring and will remain out of action for four weeks. The all-rounder subsequently was ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour and will further miss the Australia Test series. Sri Lanka also dropped Danushka Gunathilaka from the squad, while Dinesh Chandimal will continue to lead the Test side with opener Dimuth Karunaratne as his deputy.

The first Test will be played from January 24 to 28 at the Gabba in Brisbane, followed by the second and final Test from February 1 to 5 in Canberra. 

Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne (vc), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya De Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha