De Silva will play no part in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka have dropped all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, which begins on Friday in Colombo.
The decision to drop De Silva has raised a few eyebrows, especially considering that he has fared very well against Zimbabwe in the longest format in the past.
In October-November last year, De Silva scored 25, 64, 127 and 9 in four Test innings against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera are back in the squad, while limited overs opener Danushka Gunathilaka received his first call-up after he finished as the top-scorer in the recent ODI series against Zimbabwe, where he accumulated 323 runs in five matches, which included a century and three fifties, at an average of 64.60.
Angelo Mathews, who stepped down as captain in all three formats on Tuesday, also returned to the Test squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Since Mathews is no longer captain, Dinesh Chandimal, who was named as Mathews’ successor in Test cricket, will lead the side for the first time.
It was also confirmed that wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera and pace bowler Nuwan Pradeep would miss the match as they are nursing injuries.
Sri Lanka’s Test Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Dimuth Karunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara