Sri Lanka has selected uncapped right-arm seamer Milan Rathnayake and fast-bowling all-rounder Nisala Tharaka in their 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England.
Pathum Nissanka returns to the Test squad after his debut in March 2021. Nissanka, who hasn't played a Test since mid-2022, lost his spot to Nishan Madushka.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who last played a Test in June 2022 against Australia, has also been recalled following a career-best performance of 6 for 33 in the second ODI against India.
Tharaka, a 33-year-old seasoned campaigner with 107 first-class matches under his belt, earns his first call-up. He has claimed 257 wickets and scored 2358 runs, with a top score of 107. His most notable performance was for Sri Lanka A against Afghanistan A in May, where he took six wickets for 42 runs.
Rathnayake, 28, previously included in Sri Lanka's Test squad for a one-off Test against Afghanistan, has yet to make his debut. He has played 39 first-class games, taking 79 wickets and scoring 633 runs, with the highest score of 59. Rathnayake has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka A. The squad will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kusal Mendis as vice-captain.
Sri Lanka's pace-heavy squad features Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Tharaka, and Rathnayake as the fast bowlers. Angelo Mathews, known for his occasional seam bowling success in England, is also included.
Spin options include Vandersay, Ramesh Mendis, and Prabath Jayasuriya. Ramesh and Jayasuriya have been key Test spinners for Sri Lanka over the past 18 months.
Despite the ongoing ODI series against India, six Test specialists have already flown to England to commence training. Vishwa Fernando has been preparing by playing three County Championship matches for Yorkshire.
The first Test between Sri Lanka and England starts on August 21 in Manchester, followed by the second Test at Lord's on August 29, and concluding with the third Test at The Oval on September 6.
Sri Lanka Squad for Tests vs England:
- Dhananjaya De Silva (captain)
- Dimuth Karunaratne
- Nishan Madushka
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis (vice-captain)
- Angelo Mathews
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Kamindu Mendis
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Asitha Fernando
- Vishwa Fernando
- Kasun Rajitha
- Lahiru Kumara
- Nisala Tharaka
- Prabath Jayasuriya
- Ramesh Mendis
- Jeffrey Vandersay
- Milan Rathnayake