The squad also includes Sadeera Samarawickrama and the uncapped legspinner Dushan Hemantha.
Sri Lanka has made some major changes to their squad selection for the upcoming Ireland Tests. One of the most notable omissions from the 15-member squad is Niroshan Dickwella, who has been left out of the team as they look to adopt a spin-heavy approach. Instead, the team has named Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama as their wicketkeeping options. This shake-up in the squad is a clear indication of Sri Lanka’s desire to dominate Ireland with their spin attack.
In addition to Dickwella’s exclusion, other players who were part of Sri Lanka’s most recent Test assignment in New Zealand have been rested, including fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara. Asitha Fernando, Oshada Fernando, and Chamika Karunaratne have also been left out of the squad. This move has given a chance for new talent to shine, with the inclusion of uncapped legspinner Dushan Hemantha and the recall of left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya. Dimuth Karunaratne remains the captain for the two Tests against Ireland, and all eyes will be on him and his team as they take on their opponents in this exciting series.
Sri Lanka’s cricket team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the upcoming Ireland Tests. They have made some significant changes to their squad selection, aiming to adopt a spin-heavy approach. With the matches being played in Sri Lanka, the conditions are expected to favor spin bowlers, and the team has taken note of it. As a result, they have left out Niroshan Dickwella, who has been struggling with his form lately, and brought in new talent to take on the challenge.
New Talent and Fresh Perspective for Sri Lanka’s Upcoming Series
The team has named Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama as their wicketkeeping options, while fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara have been rested. Madushka made his debut in Sri Lanka’s most recent Test match in Wellington, replacing Dickwella, who had a forgettable outing in the first Test in Christchurch. The team management has shown faith in him, and he will be expected to deliver on the big stage. On the other hand, Samarawickrama has been given another opportunity to prove his worth after having a mixed outing in the previous Test series.
The inclusion of uncapped leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha and the recall of left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya have added more depth to the spin department. Both the bowlers have impressed in the domestic circuit, and will be eager to make their mark in international cricket. With Dimuth Karunaratne leading the team, all eyes will be on him and his team as they take on their opponents in this exciting series. The Sri Lanka cricket team is known for producing world-class spinners, and it will be interesting to see how the new crop of spinners performs in familiar conditions.
Sri Lanka has made some exciting changes to their squad selection for the upcoming Ireland Tests, as they aim to adopt a spin-heavy approach in conditions that favor spin bowlers. With the exclusion of Niroshan Dickwella and the inclusion of new talent such as Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama as their wicketkeeping options, the team is set to take on the challenge with a fresh perspective.
Furthermore, the fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara have been rested, allowing for uncapped leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha and the recalled left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya to add more depth to the spin department. With the experienced Dimuth Karunaratne leading the team, all eyes will be on him and his team as they take on their opponents in this exciting series.
One notable inclusion to the team is Sadeera Samarawickrama, who returns to the Test squad after a long gap, having played the last of his four Tests – all of them as a specialist batter – in December 2017. This move is expected to bolster the team’s batting strength, providing them with a solid foundation for their spin-heavy approach. Ireland’s tour to Sri Lanka has also been expanded to include a second Test, providing the home team with more opportunities to test their new strategy.
Sri Lanka has played eight Tests in the past 12 months, and had a gap of over six months between their home series against Australia and their tour to New Zealand. Despite having an outside chance of making the World Test Championship final at the start of that tour, they were unable to capitalize on it. However, with their revamped squad and renewed energy, Sri Lanka is set to make a strong statement in the upcoming series.
Despite expressing his desire to step down as Sri Lanka’s captain after the current series, Dimuth Karunaratne has been retained as the skipper for the upcoming two Tests against Ireland. Karunaratne had indicated to the selectors about his intention to relinquish the captaincy, however, he did not receive any response from the board. The series against Ireland is not a part of the World Test Championship cycle, but it will mark the completion of Sri Lanka’s scheduled games in the current period.
Karunaratne has been leading the Sri Lankan team since April 2019 and has had mixed results in his tenure. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka has won 4 out of the 12 Test matches they have played, losing 7 and drawing 1. However, Karunaratne has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent batsmen and has scored 1359 runs in 20 Tests as captain, including 5 centuries and 6 half-centuries at an average of 44.87.
Sri Lanka will bank on their experienced captain to lead them to victory against Ireland, and it remains to be seen whether Karunaratne will continue to lead the team after this series or whether the selectors will take his desire to step down into account. 22Bet VIP can give you updated cricket news every week.
The following players will represent Sri Lanka in Test matches against Ireland:
- Dimuth Karunaratne (captain),
- Kusal Mendis,
- Angelo Mathews,
- Dinesh Chandimal,
- Dhananjaya de Silva,
- Kamindu Mendis,
- Nishan Madusha (wk),
- Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk),
- Ramesh Mendis,
- Prabath Jayasuriya,
- Dushan Hemantha,
