Gunaratne has been in outstanding form as of late
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Sri Lanka have called up all-rounder Asela Gunaratne and opening batsman Niroshan Dickwella for the two-Test series against Bangladesh this month.
Gunaratne has been in superb form with the bat as of late as he made two half-centuries in the recently three-match Twenty20 series against Australia. He also struck his maiden ODI century against South Africa last month.
Dickwella has also put up a number of strong performances as an opener in the limited overs formats and has thus been rewarded. However, it is understood that the selectors were also considering picking uncapped opener Ron Chandraguptha.
Dickwella will take Kaushal Silva’s place at the top of the batting order, but Silva was not the only player to be omitted from the Test squad as wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera also suffered the same fate.
On Tuesday, it was announced that uncapped left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara would be included in the squad. The other spinners in the squad include stand-in captain Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan.
Meanwhile, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Vikum Sanjaya will make up the pace attack.
The two-Test series begins on March 7 in Galle.
Sri Lanka Test Squad: Rangana Herath (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara.