Sri Lanka announce 18-man squad for Test series against Australia

The Sri Lanka team will take on Australia in a two-match Test series after completing a historic ODI series win against the visitors in over three decades. The Sri Lankan cricket team has announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming two Tests against Australia via media release.

Sri Lanka’s victory in the ODI series not only lifted the spirits of the players but also brought much-needed joy to the fans amid economic and political turmoil in the country. The Islanders will hope to take the positives from the limited-overs series into the Test series. The first Test of the series will commence on 29th June at the Galle International Stadium.

Dimuth Karunaratne will continue with his leadership role after an impressive Test series victory in Bangladesh last month. Jeffrey Vandersay, who was quite economical with his bowling in the recently concluded ODI series has been drafted into the 18-man squad and will be eyeing a Test debut against the mighty Aussies.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Standby Players: Dunith Wellalage Lakshitha Rasanjana

Australia will look to put the ODI series defeat behind them and continue their winning run in Tests

Australia, who are currently at the top of the table in the World Test Championship, will look to solidify their place at the summit with a series victory. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will have a chance to get closer to the third-placed Indian side on the points table. The Men in Yellow won’t have fond memories of their previous red-ball series on the island, as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 series defeat against the hosts in 2016.

The Sri Lankan team will be buoyed by their success in the ODI series but will have their work cut out against a strong Australian Test side who will have their star players like Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh back in the team after sustaining injuries in the ODI series.

Fixtures:

29 June-3 July: First Test, Galle

8-12 July: Second Test, Galle