• Dimuth and Angelo goes to their sunset leaving vacuum 

Sri Lanka selectors headed by former white-ball captain Upul Tharanga are expected to blood a few deserving youngsters in the absence of two stalwarts, as they look to preserve their unbeaten record during the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.

Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne departed from the international game last February, following the series against Australia and his colleague-another ex-skipper Angelo Mathews, is expected to follow suit, after the first Test against Bangladesh commencing at Galle on 17 June.

The national team will be left with a massive challenge to plug the void left by the exits of the duo, as they between them account for over 200 Tests and among the names being bandied around to replace them are Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha and Pavan Rathnayake.

Right-handed batter Udara, 31, who is yet to make his red-ball debut, is expected to vie for the opening slot left vacant by the retirement of Karunaratne.

But, he will face competition from Oshada Fernando who with 22 Test caps, provides a steady option to partner the established Pathum Nissanka.  

Sooriyabandara, 25, has been among the runs for his club SSC, in the domestic first-class competitions and like Udara, is looking for his debut in the long format and whether he could fill the huge shoes left by the retirement of Mathews, only time will tell.

Southpaw Dinusha, 24, from CCC, is another bright prospect who has been knocking on the door for some time to represent his country and like Sooriyabandara, he will compete for the spot that is bound to be left vacant by Mathews' impending retirement.

Rathnayake, 22, is also from CCC and the right-handed batter has been on the selectors radar for some time, thanks to his prolific scoring at the ‘A’ level and he too will strive hard to break into the national ranks.

On the bowling front, the national selectors are expected to find a genuine support spinner to experienced left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, following the unimpressive returns of the off spinning duo of Ramesh Mendis and Nishan Peiris hitherto.

Right-arm off spinner Mendis has snared 71 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 31.15, while Peiris who only made his debut against New Zealand last year, has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 43.33.

It would be unjust to find fault with Nishan Peiris, who is yet to be given a long run with the team before taking a call on his ability to be the ideal foil to Jayasuriya, but according to sources the selectors are likely to seriously consider trying out ambidextrous 29-year-old spinner Tharindu Rathnayake instead.

Ratnayake, who can bowl both right-arm off breaks and slow left-arm orthodox, is close to earning a call up to the senior squad.

According to cricket analysts the two-match Test series starting in a fortnight, could be the perfect scenario for the selectors to figure out, as to whom they intend to bank on as the backup slow bowling option to their premier spinner.

Sri Lanka Cricket has still not officially released the squad for the two-match Test series and it is expected to be announced shortly. 

(JK)