Sri Lanka announce squad for the final Test against India

Sri Lanka announced their squad for the final match of the Test series against India as the home side affected by injuries to their players. They have roped in the services of Pacers in place of Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep for the game to be played at Pallekele. Along with Herath and Pradeep, the selectors dropped non-performing Danushka Gunathilaka as well.

Pacer Dushmantha Chameera, who was part of the one-off Test match squad against Zimbabwe at the Colombo (RPS), returned to the squad after being dropped for the first two Tests of the series. Chameera represented Sri Lanka in six Test matches in his career and picked up 22 wickets at an average of 33. He last featured in this format during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa last year at Port Elizabeth.

Maiden call-up for Gamage

29-year-old Lahiru Gamage earned his maiden Test call-up who has featured in 81 first-class matches so far taking 220 wickets at an average of 30. He played the warm-up game for Sri Lanka President’s XI against Indians and turned wicket less conceding 67 runs in the 17 overs he bowled. Gamage made his ODI debut during their tour of India in 2014 and played 5 ODIs so far without making any impact as the right-arm pacer picked up only 2 wickets.

Selectors decided to drop Danushka Gunathilaka as the left-hander recorded scores of 16 and 2 and was dropped in the Colombo (SSC) Test as their skipper Dinesh Chandimal returned to the side. Herath has been rested for this Test as the left-arm spinner suffered a stiff back in the 2nd Test while in the same game, Nuwan Pradeep caught up a hamstring injury on the first day and was ruled out from bowling for the remainder of the game. The final Test at Pallekele starts on August 12 (Saturday).

Sri Lanka squad for the 3rd Test: Dinesh Chandimal (C), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Gamage.