Niroshan Dickwella Dropped as Sri Lanka Announces 15-man Squad to Face Ireland
Sri Lanka Cricket Team [Image- Twitter]
The Sri Lankan national selection committee, on Sunday, announced a 15-member squad for the forthcoming Test series against Ireland, scheduled for later this month.
After giving a great account of themselves in the recent one-off Test against Bangladesh, Ireland will look to continue the good work when they take on a strong Lankan unit this April.
Sri Lanka will once again be led by experienced opener Dimuth Karunaratne but the home side will miss the services of talented batters Pathum Nissanka and Oshada Fernando, both of whom have been sidelined by the selectors for undisclosed reasons.
Veteran wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has also failed to retain his spot after a poor display in the Test series in New Zealand last month, and he has been replaced by Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Uncapped Nishan Madushka has also earned his maiden Test call-up while discarded left-arm orthodox Lasith Embuldeniya has also been added in the 15-men squad.
Apart from Embuldeniya, 28-year-old leg-spin all-rounder Hemantha has also been added in the squad after impressing in the recent series against England Lions. Left-arm orthodox Prabath Jayasuriya will continue to lead the spin attack.
The two-match series will take place at the iconic Galle Stadium, with the first Test set to take place between April 16-20, while the final match will take place between April 24-28.
Sri Lanka's squad for Ireland Tests:
Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, Ramesh Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushan Hemantha
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