Sadeera Samarawickrama is one of two uncapped players included in Sri Lanka’s Test squad
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Sri Lanka have called up uncapped batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama and Roshen Silva to their squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Samarawickrama, who is 22, has made his presence felt in the 27 first-class matches he has played to date as he has scored 2,070 runs, which includes six centuries and 11 fifties, at an average of 47.04.
As for Roshen, he has a lot of first-class experience as he has featured in 101 games and accumulated 6,265 runs, which includes 18 hundreds and 26 half-centuries, at an average of 48.19.
Meanwhile, Lahiru Thirimanne has been recalled and been named vice-captain, while opener Kaushal Silva is also back in the squad.
Thirimanne last played Test cricket in June 2016, while Kaushal has not donned the Test whites since January this year.
All-rounder Asela Gunaratne and wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera are still out of action as they are recovering from thumb and hamstring injuries respectively.
Upul Tharanga is also missing from the squad, but that is due to the fact that he has opted not to play any Test cricket for the next six months in order to focus on his limited overs career.
All-rounder Angelo Mathews has been ruled out of the first Test with a calf strain, but there is a possibility he could miss the second Test as well.
With Sri Lanka bringing in two uncapped players and recalling two veterans, Dhananjaya de Silva, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera have all been dropped.
Sri Lanka are set to travel to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. The first Test in Abu Dhabi will begin four days later, while the second match, which will be a day-night Test, will get underway on October 6 in Dubai.
Sri Lanka’s Test Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage