Sri Lanka has named an 18-man squad for the Test series against Australia. Sri Lanka has named an 18-man squad for the Test series against Australia. The first Test between the two teams will be held in Galle from June 29th to July 3rd.
After completing a historic ODI series win against the visitors in over three decades. Sri Lanka will face Australia in a two-match Test series. The Sri Lankan cricket team issued a media release naming an 18-man squad for the upcoming two Tests against Australia.
The victory in the ODI series not only lifted the spirits of the players, but also brought much-needed joy to the fans in the midst of the country’s economic and political turmoil. The Islanders will hope to carry their limited-overs success into the Test series. The first Test of the series will take place at the Galle International Stadium on June 29th.
After an impressive Test series victory in Bangladesh last month, Dimuth Karunaratne will continue to lead the team. Moreover, Jeffrey Vandersay who bowled well in the recent ODI series, has been draft into the 18-man squad and will be hoping to make his Test debut against the mighty Aussies.
Also Read: Trent Boult is on fire on Day 2 of the third Test between England and New Zealand.
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 try to put the ODI series defeat behind them and extend their winning streak in Tests.
Australia, who also currently lead the World Test Championship table, will look to cement their position at the top with a series victory. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will have an opportunity to close the gap on third-placed India on the points table. However, The Men in Yellow will not remember their previous red-ball series on the island fondly, as they were humiliated 3-0 by the hosts in 2016.
The Sri Lankan team will be buoyed by their success in the ODI series, but they will face a tough task against a strong Australian Test side that will have star players like Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh back in the lineup after injuries sustained in the ODI series.
Fixtures:
29 June – 3 July: First Test, Galle
8-12 July: Second Test, Galle
Also Visit: The Barmy Army Celebrates England’s Star’s Ton in the Third Test Against New Zealand in a Unique Way