Dinesh Chandimal (right) has been dropped for the Test series against South Africa

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been omitted from the Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

The selectors’ shock move comes after Chandimal only scored 24 runs at a dismal average of six in the recently concluded two-Test series against Australia.

With Chandimal being told to regain his form on the domestic circuit, opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has been named captain for the two-Test series against the Proteas, which begins on February 13 in Durban.

In addition to Chandimal, spinner Dilruwan Perera and middle-order batsman Roshen Silva have also been dropped.

Sri Lanka have also opted to draft in numerous inexperienced players, including four that are uncapped – left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, pace bowler Mohamed Shiraz, and batsmen Angelo Perera and Oshada Fernando.

Angelo has been included after he scored two double centuries in the same match, becoming only the second player in first-class history to accomplish the feat.

Captaining Nondescripts Cricket Club the previous weekend, Angelo struck 201 and 231 in the team’s draw against Sinhalese Sports Club.

All-rounder Milinda Siriwardana and opening batsman Kaushal Silva have also been recalled.

However, all-rounder Angelo Mathews continued to be left out of the side as he is still recovering from the grade two hamstring strain he sustained in the second Test against New Zealand in December.

Sri Lanka’s Test Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Niroshan Dickwella, (v-capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya De Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Embuldeniya