Sri Lanka name 16-member squad for SL vs NZ 2024 Test series, Oshada Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama return
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series at home against New Zealand, beginning on September 18 at the Galle International Stadium. Nishan Madushka has been left out while the likes of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Oshada Fernando have returned to the squad.
Fernando, who made his Test debut in February 2019, hasn't played an international match since March 2023. However, the right-handed batter's scores of 122 and 80 against South Africa A in Kimberly resulted in a win for Sri Lanka A, prompting his recall to the senior team.
Samarawickrama wasn't part of the squad for their recent tour of England and is likely to strengthen an already experienced middle-order against New Zealand.
Ramesh Mendis is yet to play a Test outside the sub-continent and has decent numbers with the ball. His off-spin has yielded 63 scalps in 14 matches at 30.65. He is also a decent batter down the order and has a triple-century in first-class cricket. However, he averages only 19.21 in 20 Test innings.
Kusal Mendis has retained his spot despite an underwhelming tour of England, notching up scores of 24, 0, 14, and 39 in four innings.
Sri Lanka squad for two-Test series against New Zealand: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), 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.
Sri Lanka finished their Test series against England on a high
Dhananjaya De Silva and company finished their three-Test series in England on a high as they won the final match at The Oval by eight wickets. The tourists had the opportunity to win the first Test in Manchester after they showed incredible resistance with the bat in both innings despite being in trouble. However, Joe Root shepherded the run-chase of 205 with an unbeaten 62. The visitors lost the series at Lord's after getting beaten by 190 runs.
A classy hundred by Pathum Nissanka to follow England's batting collapse sealed a rare overseas win for the Island nation. Sri Lanka are currently fifth in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC) standings with three wins and four losses in seven matches.