Dilhara Fernando in squad for SSC Test

Friday, 29 June 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESNPNcricinfo: Sri Lanka have recalled fast bowler Dilhara Fernando to the squad for the second Test against Pakistan, which begins at the SSC on June 30, as a replacement for the injured Chanaka Welegedara. The selectors were short of options, with several back-up seamers nursing injuries.

Dilhara Fernando

Fernando’s last Test appearance was the Boxing Day match against South Africa in Durban in 2011. His inclusion is the only change to the Sri Lanka squad that won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs.

“Fernando has recovered from a shoulder injury and we have included him in the 15, but I am not sure whether he will play,” chairman of selectors Ashantha de Mel said. “The team management will take a call on who should support Nuwan Kulasekara.

“Nuwan Pradeep bowled impressively but he has a history of injuries so I don’t know whether he will play back-to-back matches. If Pradeep is rested his place is likely to go to either Thisara Perera or Fernando.”

De Mel said the two other bowlers who would have been in contention, Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga, were both nursing injuries.

“Lakmal has a serious ankle injury and he is out for at least six months, and Eranga is having a nerve problem in his back,” De Mel said. “We have sent Dhammika Prasad to South Africa with the Sri Lanka A team to gain fitness and to bowl many overs in the four-day unofficial Test matches. These bowlers cannot play an entire Test series without breaking down or getting injured.”

Sri Lanka squad for second Test

Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vc), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Parnavithana, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis