- Selectors opt for rookies with an eye to future
Sri Lanka selectors have recalled experienced spinner Akila Dananjaya from the cricketing wilderness for the first time since 2019, while naming four uncapped players in an 18-member squad for the first Test against Bangladesh starting at Galle on 17 June.
Dananjaya, who has 33 wickets from six Tests, last represented his country in the five-day format against New Zealand at Galle. However, the slow bowler’s recall is aimed at further boosting the team’s spin department, which is led by left-arm orthodox bowler Prabath Jayasuriya.
This is following the failure of both Ramesh Mendis and Nishan Peiris to be the partner-in-crime to Jayasuriya in the series against the Aussies early this year.
The 31-year-old Dananjaya who is able to deliver a leg break, googly, carrom ball, doosra and the off-spinner with alarming control has fought his way back to the national setup, through consistent domestic performances.
The bowler who has had to remodel his action after being reported for a suspect action to the ICC six years ago, has thus further underscored his readiness for international return. However, it is left to be seen whether he could cement his place in the Test squad, after his long hiatus from international cricket.
The inclusion of highly-spoken Tharindu Rathnayake who can bowl both right-arm off spin and left-arm spin, is expected to considerably improve the spin stocks of the home team, with the talented slow-bowler set for his debut Test at Galle in the series opener.
Meanwhile, middle-order batters Pawan Rathnayake (22) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (25), opener Lahiru Udara (31), have all earned their maiden call-ups, through consistent domestic performances and impressive showings for Sri Lanka ‘A’.
These newbies alongside Sonal Dinusha, are probably in line to take the step up to international cricket during the second and final Test against Bangladesh at the SSC from 25 June, after the exit of ex-captain Angelo Mathews.
The 38-year-old has already publicly announced that the first Test against the Tigers’ at Galle, will be his swansong in red-ball cricket and the selectors have opted to blood the aforementioned rookies with an eye to the future.
The hosts’ batting nucleus will revolve around Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Hence, the onus will be on them to pave the way for the rookies to adapt to the rigours of the international game without upsetting team dynamics.
The squad for the Bangladesh series also sees the discarding of a few of the prominent players such as Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Peiris, Ramesh Mendis, and Jeffrey Vandersay, who had featured in the two-match series against Australia early this year.
The selectors however have not tinkered with the pace bowling setup for the upcoming series, allowing the likes of Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake to fight among themselves, to retain their respective spots in the starting XI.
Sri Lanka squad for first Test
Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Akila Dananjaya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake
(JK)