3 reasons why Sri Lanka dropping Prabath Jayasuriya for the Oval Test vs England is the wrong move

As Sri Lanka look to avoid a third whitewash in their last six series, the side rang in two changes for the final Test of the three-match series against England, starting at the Oval on September 6. While bringing back veteran batter Kusal Mendis to replace struggling opener Nishan Madushka was understandable, dropping left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya raised eyebrows.

The 32-year-old was replaced by left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando in the playing XI for the third Test as confirmed on the eve of the game. Jayasuriya played the first Tests that the Lankans lost by five wickets and 190 runs to concede hopes of a series win.

Since debuting in Tests in 2022, Jayasuriya has been a mainstay in the Sri Lankan lineup regardless of the opponent. Thus, his dropping could prove to be a fatal error from the management that could come back to bite them in hindsight should they suffer a third consecutive defeat at the Oval.

Yet, even before the start of the contest, three tangible reasons come to mind as to why dropping Prabath Jayasuriya is an incomprehensibly wrong move as follows:

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# 1 Sri Lanka are left with no frontline spinners in the lineup

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Vishwa Fernando's inclusion makes it four pacers and no specialist spinner in the Lankan XI [Credit: Getty]

A four-pronged pace attack with no specialist spinner going haywire - Didn't we hear the same story recently elsewhere? Sure enough, Pakistan played the first Test of the recently-concluded two-match series against Bangladesh similarly with four pacers and no frontline spinner.

The move backfired massively with the Bangladesh spinners wrecking the Pakistan batting lineup in the second innings en route to a ten-wicket victory. Sri Lanka have repeated the same by going four pacers - Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Ratnayake, and the incoming Vishwa Fernando.

They will have to do with the part-time spin-bowling options of skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and talented youngster Kamindu Mendis. The duo have combined for only 37 Test wickets in 61 outings.

Going with an all-pace attack with no specialist spinner by pre-judging pitch conditions is an option that has often come back to bite several teams over the years. Yet, Sri Lanka have gone to the same in a desperate last throw of the dice, with the move likely to backfire if history is considered.

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# 2 The Oval is among England's best venues for spinners in the second innings

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Shane Warne as a spinner has the most Test wickets by an overseas bowler at the Oval [Credit: Getty]

Even if Sri Lanka wanted the extra pace option, the Oval might be the worst English venue to try their hand at it. Among the six venues in the country to have hosted at least 50 Tests, the Oval boats the third-best bowling average from spinners in the final two innings of the contest.

Spinners have historically averaged an impressive 28.20 in the third and fourth innings of Tests in 103 previous international red-ball matches. Sri Lanka's decision looks further egregious when we find out the Oval is the worst venue for pacers in England.

Among the same six venues to have hosted over 50 Tests, the pacers' bowling average of 30.73 is the worst.

Further expanding on this, if we see the all-time list for most wickets at the Oval, four out of the top eight are spinners. England's Derek Underwood, Jim Laker, and Tony Lock are third, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Meanwhile, Australian legend Shane Warne is 8th and the leading wicket-taker at the Oval among foreign bowlers.

Just these numbers of spinners vs pacers at the Oval should have forced the Sri Lankan management to persist with Jayasuriya ahead of one of the pacers.

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# 3 Jayasuriya has been arguably Sri Lanka's best Test bowler in recent times

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Jayasuriya has been consistent with the ball over the last two years [Credit: Getty]

Let's leave out non-player-specific factors like team balance and venue and ask this basic selection question - Does Prabath Jayasuriya fit in as one of Sri Lanka's top three current bowlers? And the answer must be a resounding 'Yes', a suggestion that Sri Lanka have got it wrong leaving the left-arm spinner.

Jayasuriya is the second-highest-ranked Sri Lankan bowler and 13th overall in the latest ICC Test bowling rankings. His overall Test numbers are excellent with 79 wickets in 14 games at an average of 30.02, including seven 5-wicket hauls.

While spinners struggling in England isn't new, Jayasuriya hasn't fared as poorly even in the ongoing series. Despite a sub-par average of 48, the 32-year-old is Sri Lanka's second leading wicket-taker with 8 in the two Tests.

For context, Vishwa Fernando, replacing Jayasuriya as a fourth pace option had woeful match figures of 2/119 in the series' first Test.

Jayasuriya has even displayed resolve with bat, facing 117 balls in the two Tests, which makes Jayasuriya's dropping all the more baffling.

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