Sri Lankan Test Squad for South Africa and England Series

Sri Lankan cricket team has announced their test squad for South Africa and England Test Series. The test matches to be played in this series will amount to the ICC World Test Championship points, which is currently ongoing. Facing South Africa first, at away, will be a challenge, as the One Day Series between England and South Africa at South Africa have been cancelled due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 among the players of both the nations. 

Even though these things prick them, Sri Lanka have confirmed that the tour will commence as per the schedule. Adding sugar to the injury, recently there were 10 domestic South African cricketers from which few will be featuring in this tour, have been tested COVID Positive. Replacements have been announced and also Sri Lanka has flew to South Africa to play two Tests.

After these two tests, they will be facing England in home. Again only for two tests which has been scheduled to take place on January 14-18 and January 22-26 respectively. For these two games, there are high expectations, as during the previous time, England have Sri Lanka in their own backyard. Will they repeat these heroics ? 

Now, Sri Lankan cricket team has announced their test squads for both the series, where some have been selected on the basis of Lanka Premier League, as domestic cricket hasn't resumed. The team consists of Dimuth Karunaratne ( C ), Kusal Perara, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Thirumanne, Minod Banuka, Wanindu Hasranga, Santhush Gunathilake, Dasun Shanaka, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dilruwan Perara, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanaka.

For Wicket Keeper Batsman Minod Banukha, this is the first test call up after featuring in both One Day Games and T20 Internationals representing Sri Lanka. His first class numbers shows that he has average of 43 along with 9 hundreds and 8 fifties in 45 games, with scoring 2,854 runs. He has also claimed 106 catches with 31 stumpings, showing that he has a good potential in him. But, the thing is that, he needs to use his golden chances at his best.

For Santhush Gunathilake, seeing his best Lanka Premier League performances, this will be a great chance to prove himself the best batsman in the middle order. An elegant left hander, who can turn the game under his head, has a greater edge. 

Lasith Embuldeniya is a great chance, as Englishmen would be struggling against the left arm orthodox bowlers. He has an impressive record with 30 wickets in just 7 test matches. 

Same like Minod Banukha, Wanindu Hasaranga has been officially called for test matches after debuting for One Day games and T20 Internationals. Also, his inclusion is purely based on Lanka Premier League of this year with picking 17 wickets in 10 games at a very good economy rate. 

Sri Lanka lacks in the number of spinners, as they have excessive amount of inexperienced pace bowlers. Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanaka. Whereas the spin department consists of only three to four. Dhananjaya De Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Lasith Embuldeniya. 

Against England this would be fine as this is a home series and Sri Lankan Cricket Board knows fully about their conditions. Whereas, if we think about South African conditions, this is a one sided squad with a bowling attack. Angelo Mathews won't be a part of South African series, as he suffers from injury.