Sri Lanka announces 17-member squad for West Indies Test series

Sri Lanka didn’t have the most significant moments as they were thrashed by England 0-2 in the two-match Test series. Sri Lanka will now be looking forward to making a comeback in the most extended format. They will have to put a good fight against the West Indies. Both the teams will face each other in the two-match Test series, scheduled to start from March 21 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.

The two sides are currently playing a three-match T20 series against each other in Antigua, followed by three One Day Internationals. The T20I games are presently equal at 1-1. West Indies won the first game by four wickets, and the Lankans emerged victorious in the second by 43 runs.

On Saturday, Sri Lanka Cricket Board declared a 17-member squad for the forthcoming Test matches against the Caribbean nation. Dimuth Karunaratne, who will be leading Sri Lanka in the ODI series, was announced as the skipper of the Test side. Dimuth hadn’t played in the Test series against England as he had sustained a thumb injury. 

Lahiru Kumara not a part of the Sri Lanka Test squad

Apart from Dimuth, Dhananjaya de Silva also made a comeback in the Test squad. He had missed the England series after sustaining a thigh injury in South Africa. On the other end, Pathum Nissanka earned his maiden Test call-up for Sri Lanka. He is in line to make his debut in the most extended format. Pathum has been delivering memorable performances in the domestic circuit as he averages a stunning 67.54 in first-class cricket. Shanaka, who was a part of the ODI squad for the West Indies series, did not travel with the team due to a visa issue. The cricketer lost his previous passport, which had a valid visa for the USA stamped on it.

Kasun Rajitha and Minod Bhanuka have failed to find a place in the recently announced 17-member squad. Pacer Lahiru Kumara is also not a part of the Tests series as he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sri Lanka squad against West Indies

Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Vishwa Fernando, Roshen Silva, Dhananjaya De Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya

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