Sri Lanka makes changes to batting order for NZ Tests

• Chandimal to bat at no. 3, Kamindu at no. 5
• Oshada recalled to Test squad of 16
• Wicket-keeper’s position between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Top order batsman Oshada Fernando who impressed with his batting for Sri Lanka ‘A’ in their six-wicket win over South Africa ‘A’ in the first 4-day unofficial test has been recalled after an 18-month absence to the Sri Lanka squad of 16 players named for the two-Test series against New Zealand starting at Galle on 18 September.

Fernando who scored 122 and 80 replaces Nishan Madushka who is one of three players to be excluded from the squad that travelled to England for the recent three-Test series. Madushka who has a Test double century to his name had a hard time in England where his technique against the moving ball was badly exposed making scores of 4, 0, 7 and 13. He had to make way for Pathum Nissanka as Dimuth Karunaratne’s opening partner for the third Test at the Oval. Nissanka sealed his place as opener with two terrific knocks – 64 and 127* that led to Sri Lanka’s 8-wicket win. The other two are fast bowler Kasun Rajitha and uncapped fast bowling all-rounder Nisala Tharaka both of whom didn’t get a single game.

32-year-old Oshada’s performance in South Africa alone coupled with his outstanding batting in the National Super League 4-day where he was the leading run-getter with 885 runs (avg. 68.07) was enough evidence for the national selectors to recall him from South Africa for the New Zealand series. Oshada however will find it difficult to get slotted into a strong batting line-up. If at all he plays, he will have to either open or bat at number 3 the two positions he has batted in the 21 Tests he’s represented his country.

“If we play Oshada, we will have to bring in a wicket-keeper for the no. 7 spot because (Dinesh) Chandimal won’t be keeping wickets,” said chairman of selectors Upul Tharanga. “He cannot play as an opener anyway, it is only at no. 3 he can be slotted in. So it is very unlikely that he will get a place for the first Test.”

The crucial no. 3 spot, which was yet to be filled permanently has now gone to experienced batsman Chandimal. He has been batting in the middle order and keeping wickets, but from this series he will no longer be donning the wicket-keeping gloves, but concentrate purely on his batting. No. 3 is not a new slot to Chandimal but it is not his favourite position. In 8 Test innings he averages 19.62 with one fifty. It is at Nos. 5, 6 and 7 he has scored most of his runs and 13 of his 15 Test hundreds.

With his recent batting exploits at no. 7 and no. 8 in Bangladesh and in England, Kamindu Mendis has finally earned a promotion from no. 7 to no. 5. With experienced batter Angelo Mathews retaining his position at 4 and the skipper Dhananjaya de Silva at 6, the number 7 wicket-keeper’s spot will be decided between Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.

“We have not so far decided who will keep wickets and bat in that position,” said Tharanga.

The bowling combination Tharanga said will be two seamers and two spinners, which means two of the four pacies who performed well in England will have no place in the final 11.

“The two seamers’ positions will be decided between Asitha (Fernando), Vishwa (Fernando) and Lahiru (Kumara). The two spinners will probably be Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis.”

Even Milan Rathnayake who batted and bowled well in the England series will not find a place for the first Test.   

“It will be a decent track to bat on for the first three days with the spinners getting some assistance on the fourth and fifth days. That’s the plan. We need the batsman to score runs, not for the ball to turn square from the first day,” said Tharanga.

SRI LANKA SQUAD FOR NZ TESTS:

Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.