Angelo Mathews returns as Sri Lankan skipper for Tests against South Africa
Sri Lanka have named their Test squad for the tour of South Africa and have included Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera and Dinesh Chandimal, all of whom had missed the Tests in Zimbabwe due to injury. There is also place for debutant, Wikum Sanjaya, a 24-year-old seamer who impressed in the Mercantile Tournament. He is the fifth seamer in the squad.
There was no place for wicket keeper, Nirosha Dickwella and all-rounder, Asela Gunaratne, who impressed in Zimbabwe in the ODI Tri-Series. Wrist spinner, Lakshan Sandakan, who had a fine series against Australia at home and Lahiru Gamage were also left out while Dhammika Prasad could not be considered due to a recent surgery for a shoulder injury.
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The Lankan selectors have made a clear plan of selecting more pace bowlers, with as many as five included in the squad, for the greener pitches in South Africa. This has resulted in spinners losing out on places. Sandakan and Vandersay were ignored for the more experienced Dilruwan Perera, who will partner Herath as the only two spinners in the squad aside from all-rounder, Dhananjaya de Silva.
The new face, Sanjaya, has played in Sri Lanka's Under-19 team, and despite being pretty raw had been monitored by closely by national coaches and selectors. The right-hand seamer, who bowls in the mid-130s has 38 wickets at an average of 33.78 from 17 first-class matches.
"Wikum is a player we have been watching for some time, and a player who has done well in domestic and mercantile cricket," chief selector of the national team, Sanath Jayasuriya said. "He's also been in our 20-man fast-bowling academy squads. We thought he was bowling very well at the moment, so we should give him an opportunity. And for a young fast bowler, South Africa is one of the best places to tour."
Balanced Sri Lankan side
The Test line-up has a more settled look about it with Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva expected to open, and Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews set to occupy the rest of the batting spots. Tharanga is likely to be restricted to the bench unless Lanka opt for him ahead of Kusal Perera.
The return of Chameera and Pradeep is a big boost to the squad. While Pradeep warmed up for the tour in the ODI Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, Chameera has been playing for Nondescripts Cricket Club after recovering from a stress fracture he sustained in England.
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Mathews will return as the captain after recovering from a leg injury and will take over from Herath, who was the skipper during the 2-0 win over Zimbabwe in November.
The squad is set to depart from Colombo on December 10. A three-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom starting on December 18 is scheduled before the first of three Tests begins in Port Elizabeth on Boxing Day. The other Tests are at Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Angelo Mathews (capt.), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Dhananjaya de Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Kumara, Wikum Sanjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath.