Who is Milan Rathnayake? 5 interesting facts about Sri Lanka seamer selected for England Tests
Sri Lanka has announced an 18-member squad for the three-match Test series against England, which starts on August 21. Pathum Nissanka and Jeffrey Vandersay are making a comeback in the Test team. Meanwhile, uncapped pacers Nisala Tharaka and Milan Rathnayake have also been included in the squad.
The Test series will be an exciting one, as England has been in some form. The hosts recently whitewashed the West Indies in the three-match Test series.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka defeated India in an ODI bilateral series after 27 years. The visitors must be high in confidence after achieving this feat and will be looking to bring their A-game to England.
Sri Lanka squad for three-match Test series against England: Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (vc), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Nisala Tharaka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Milan Rathnayake.
Dhananjaya De Silva will captain the side, while Kusal Mendis has been appointed as his deputy. Sri Lanka has opted for a pace-heavy squad, with Milan Rathnayake as one of the players. The uncapped player will be looking to make an impact if he gets an opportunity for the Island Nation in the coming series.
In this article, we look at five interesting facts about the new Sri Lankan seamer.
#1 Milan Rathnayake has earned multiple call-ups but is yet to make his Test debut
Well, this is not the first time that the right-arm pacer has earned a national call-up. In 2023, Milan was selected for the two-game Test series against New Zealand but didn’t get a game. The hosts, New Zealand, were brilliant, as they won the series 2-0.
Earlier this year, the pacer was also in the squad for a one-off Test match against Afghanistan. However, again, he didn’t make his debut. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka dominated the game and won the match by 10 wickets. Milan Rathnayake will be hoping to make his debut in the England series.
#2 Milan has a decent first-class record
The pacer has been continuously knocking on doors for his international debut with his performances in domestic games. The 28-year-old has played 39 first-class games and has picked up 79 wickets at an average of 31.77. Milan has three four-wicket hauls and a fifer in domestic cricket.
Meanwhile, the pacer has also played 45 List-A games with 47 wickets to his name. He has picked up 24 wickets in the 22 T20 games.
#3 He can contribute with the bat lower down the order
Apart from showing skills with the ball, Milan can contribute down the order with the bat as well. In 39 first-class matches, he has scored 633 runs, including two fifties, with 59 being the highest.
Runs scored by tail-enders in Test cricket often change the complexion of the game and Milan’s ability to score runs down the order can be handy for any team. If given the opportunity, the 28-year-old will be looking to contribute with the bat as well.
#4 He recently played a Test match for Sri Lanka A against Afghanistan A
In May 2024, the right-arm pacer was in action during the only unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. Batting first, Sri Lanka A scored 435 runs, courtesy of a brilliant 165-run innings by Sonal Dinusha.
In response, Afghanistan was bowled out on 198, with Milan Rathnayake taking one wicket. Sri Lanka enforced the follow-on and won the match by an innings and 26 runs as Afghanistan were bundled on 211 runs. Milan remained wicketless in the second innings.
#5 Studied at the same college as Dilruwan Perera
Milan Rathnayake studied at the same college as Sri Lankan spinner Dilruwan Perera at Sri Sumangala College, Wariyapola. Dilruwan Perera has represented the Island Nation in 43 Tests, taking 161 wickets. Meanwhile, he has also played in 13 ODIs and three T20Is.
Milan Rathnayake will be hoping to get his first Test cap in the England series and make the name of his college and his country.