(AFP Photo)
Cricket Sri Lanka has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, starting on August 21. The squad includes leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who made his Test debut against Australia in June 2022, and is making a return to the format after a strong performance in the ODIs against India.
Alongside Vandersay, the squad features uncapped players Milan Rathnayake, a right-arm pacer, and Nisala Tharaka, a fast-bowling all-rounder. Vandersay joins Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis as the team’s spin options for the series.
Milan Rathnayake, 28, previously part of Sri Lanka’s Test squad for a one-off Test against Afghanistan but not selected for the playing eleven, returns to the setup. With 39 first-class appearances, Rathnayake has accumulated 79 wickets and 633 runs.
Nisala Tharaka, 33, joins the squad with an extensive record of 107 first-class matches, 257 wickets, and 2,358 runs, including a highest score of 107. They will complement the pace attack alongside Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, and Vishwa Fernando. Notably, Vishwa Fernando recently played three county championship games for Yorkshire as part of his preparation for the series against England.
Opener Pathum Nissanka, who has been in fine form during the white-ball series against India, is also included. Nissanka made his Test debut in March 2021 and last played in the format in mid-2022, with Nishan Madushka having since taken his place at the top of the order.
Sri Lanka’s Test squad will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kusal Mendis serving as his vice-captain. The team features seasoned players such as Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Kamindu Mendis. The three-match Test series against England begins on August 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The second Test will start on August 29 at Lord’s, and the series will conclude with the third Test at The Oval on September 6.
Sri Lanka squad for England Tests: 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 and Milan Rathnayake
