CHANDIMAL, MATHEWS RECALLED FOR NEW ZEALAND TEST
Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews were yesterday included in Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test against New Zealand, which starts on Wednesday in Galle. Both batsmen missed Sri Lanka’s last Test assignment, Chandimal due to a dip in form and Mathews because of injury, though the latter has since returned to the ODI team.
Chandimal’s inclusion was at the behest of the captain and the coach, Chief Selector Asantha de Mel said yesterday.
“The captain and coach (Chandika Hathurusingha) had proposed Chandimal’s name. Before selecting the probable squad of 22, we sought Hathurusingha’s views (he was the coach then) and sat with the captain. The captain’s views were again sought before
announcing the 15,” de Mel said.
“The final eleven will be announced later and either Chandimal or Niroshan Dickwella will keep wickets,” he also said, adding that Chandimal, who was in Canada taking part in the Global League T20 tournament, is due to return to the island today. Wicketkeeperbatsman Niroshan Dickwella, who also missed the World Cup, is another notable addition to the 15-man squad, which includes spinners Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya.
Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando are the three quicks in the line-up, with all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva offering another spin option.
Sri Lanka will be coached by former fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake during the series, after his appointment on an interim basis on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the majority of the SLC support staff that travelled to the ICC Cricket World Cup has been retained, with the exception of Ruvin Peiris who has been brought in as Batting Coach.
Jerome Jayaratne, who SLC officials previously said was going to take over as Interim Head Coach, has been appointed as a Consultant.
Niroshan Dickwella, who also missed the World Cup, is another notable addition to the 15-man squad, which includes spinners Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan and Akila Dananjaya