SL Squad Ireland Series: Sri Lanka has announced their squad for the upcoming Ireland Test series. The 2-match series is set to begin on April 16 in Galle. The squad is the same with one exception that may take you by surprise. Sadeera Samarawickrama, who last played back in 2017 has been called up for the squad. He could potentially take the gloves in Galle with Niroshan Dickwella being dropped from the squad for the first Test against Ireland. Dimuth Karunaratne will continue to lead the side with a strong batting middle order led by Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. Follow SL vs IRE Test Series Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
Sri Lanka Test squad for 1st Test vs Ireland 👀#SLvIRE 🇱🇰 vs 🍀 pic.twitter.com/3ASmKTEFlZ
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) April 12, 2023
Changes in every department for SL vs IRE
Leg spinner Dushan Hemantha has earned a maiden call-up and could make his debut. Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya are other spinners that are selected.
Both Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara have been reportedly rested after the New Zealand series. They are being replaced with the trio of Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and uncapped Milan Rathnayake as the pacers.
Samarawickrama might have been added as a wicketkeeper but he will take to compete with Nishan Madushka. Madushka made his debut as the wicket-keeper in New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test series.
Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and the two wicketkeepers, Samarawickrama and Madushka, are the other batters in the squad
Right-hand bat Oshada Fernando has only been dropped after part of the New Zealand tour.
Pathum Nissanka who was not selected for the New Zealand tour, hasn’t been given a chance at home either. Nissanka averages 38.4 after nine Test matches. A below-average run against Australia at home has caused the selectors to look past him for now in red-ball cricket.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake.