Oshada Fernando has returned to the national side after more than one year, as Sri Lanka Cricket Monday named a 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand. During the four-day game against South Africa A in Kimberley a week ago, Fernando scored 122 and 80 in two innings, leading to his recall to the national squad mid-series. He has replaced Nishan Madushka, whose poor performance with the bat during England tour resulted in him losing his spot. The move could be aimed at solidifying the top-order batting.
Youngsters like Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Milan Rathanayake will aim to continue their impressive performances from the England series. Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan opener in 13 years to score a Test hundred in England. His match-winning 127* helped Sri Lanka record their 4th Test win on English soil in the last 40 years. Kamindu Mendis also had a dream start to his Test career, scoring a third Test century in his 4th appearance in whites for Sri Lanka in the 2nd Test against England.
The New Zealand Test team arrived in Sri Lanka on the 14th for their two-match Test series. Sri Lanka will play a six-day Test match against New Zealand with a one-day rest in between due to the Presidential election. The first match will be held from September 18 to 23, with a rest day on September 21 due to the Presidential election. Both matches will be played in Galle.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka last faced each other in a Test series at the start of 2023, which New Zealand won 2-0 at home. New Zealand last toured Sri Lanka in 2019, drawing the Test series 1-1 and winning 2-1 in the T20Is.
New Zealand is currently in third place at the ICC Test championship, while Sri Lanka is in fifth place, having stunned England in the Oval test earlier this month.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake
