Courtesy: Google

Courtesy: Google

On Friday, January 24, Sri Lanka announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Australia, which will begin in five days’ time in Galle. The Sri Lanka selection committee have kept Dhanajaya de Silva as captain of the side despite injury concerns surrounding him, apart from naming two uncapped players, including spin bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha and specialist batter Lahiru Udara.

With the leader of the spin bowling attack of Sri Lanka being Prabath Jayasuriya, along with compatriot Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris in tow, there is less to no chance of Sonal Dinusha making the playing XI against Australia. Isuru Udara is seen as a backup for Pathum Nissanka, who is still recovering from a groin injury, while the captain Dhanajaya de Silva recently suffered a side strain in domestic cricket recently.

Kusal Mendis, who has been a part of the Test series win against Australia at home previously, is going to stay in the wicket-keeping role, with Sadeera Samarawickrama being the back-up option. As far as the fast bowling options are concerned, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara are in line to make the playing XI of Sri Lanka against Australia later this month.

Both the Test matches of the Sri Lanka versus Australia Test series will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, with the first one beginning on January 29.

Below is the Sri Lanka squad for the two-match Test series against Australia:

Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathyanake