SL vs IRE: Sri Lanka Cricket has announced the squad for the two-match series against Ireland, set to begin on April 16 at Galle International Stadium. 27-year-old Sadeera Samarawickrama rejoins the team after a six-year absence and might replace Niroshan Dickwella’s place as the wicket-keeper.
Oshada Fernando, who took part in the most recent tour of New Zealand, has been dropped, while Dushan Hemantha, a leg-spinner received his first call-up. Sri Lanka’s spin bowling attack is represented by Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, and Lasith Embuldeniya, who last played a Test in July 2022 against Australia.
In substitution for Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara, who will be rested for the red-ball match, the pace bowling options will be Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, and uncapped Milan Rathnayake. Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne make up the team’s batting order.
The squad did not include Pathum Nissanka, who had been removed from the lineup for the New Zealand tour. Nissanka was benched due to his recent poor performance. The upcoming series against Ireland will be an opportunity for Sri Lanka to make up for themselves after losing the previous Test series to New Zealand 2-0.
Ireland was initially scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for one Test and two ODIs, however, the schedule was changed to allow for a third Test. With a break of more than six months between their home series against Australia and their tour of New Zealand, Sri Lanka has played eight Test matches in the previous calendar year.
Karunaratne, the 34-year-old skipper of the Sri Lankan team, will seek to lay a strong foundation at the start of the innings. The second Test is scheduled for April 24-28 at the same venue, and Ireland, under the leadership of Andrew Balbirnie, will have an uphill battle against the more experienced Sri Lankan side.
Cricket fans should be expecting an exciting Test series between Sri Lanka and Ireland since both teams are determined to make a name for themselves.
Sri Lanka Test squad for SL vs IRE Test Series
Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
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