Sri Lanka name 17-member squad for West Indies Test series

Sri Lanka didn’t have the best of times as they were defeated by England 0-2 in the two-match Test series back in January 2021. Thus, the team will be looking forward to making a comeback in the purest format of the game by putting a good fight against West Indies in the two-match Test series, scheduled from March 21 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

The two teams are currently playing a three-match T20 series against each other in Antigua followed by three One Day Internationals. The T20I series is leveled at 1-1 with the hosts winning the first game by four wickets and the Lankans emerging victorious in the second by 43 runs.

On Saturday, March 6, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Test matches against the Caribbean nation. Dimuth Karunaratne, who will be captaining Sri Lanka in the ODI series, was named as the skipper of the Test side. Dimuth hadn’t featured in the Test series against England as he had suffered a thumb injury. 

Apart from Dimuth, Dhananjaya de Silva, who had missed the England series after sustaining a thigh injury in South Africa, also made a comeback in the Test squad. Pathum Nissanka, on the other hand, earned his maiden Test call-up for Sri Lanka and is in line to make his debut in the purest format. Pathum has been delivering impressive performances in the domestic circuit as he averages a stunning 67.54 in first-class cricket.

Lahiru Kumara not named in Sri Lanka Test squad

Kasun Rajitha, who had suffered an injury in South Africa, and  Minod Bhanuka, the middle-order batsman, failed to find a place in the 17-member squad. Seamer Lahiru Kumara was also not considered for the Tests as he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Roshen Silva, Vishwa Fernando, and Lasith Embuldeniya will leave for the Caribbean tonight to take part in the test series,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a release.

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya De Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya