Big boys return for World Test Championship

by Rex Clementine

Having dumped several seniors from Sri Lanka’s white ball teams, the national selection panel has recalled them for the two match Test series against West Indies that will get underway on Sunday at the Galle International Stadium. This is Sri Lanka’s first assignment in the World Test Championship and a total of 24 points (12 points per Test) is on offer.

Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne along with former captains Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Suranga Lakmal have been named in a 22 member squad. Middle order batsman Roshen Silva and top order batsman Oshada Fernando also have been recalled. Both Tests will be played in Galle in a ‘bio-secure bubble’.

Galle is traditionally a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka but in recent times they have fared badly at the venue. The team lost both Tests against England this year as the spin duo of Jack Leach and Dom Bess from Somerset outperformed their Sri Lankan counterparts.

Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, who missed the Bangladesh Tests due to injury also has been named in the squad as Sri Lanka look to bank on their spin options to beat West Indies. Returning to the Test squad along with Lakmal is his new ball partner Vishwa Fernando, who has been quite impressive in recent months.

The squad includes three uncapped players in top order batsman Kamil Mishara, leg-spinner Suminda Lakshan and right-arm quick Chamika Gunasekara.

There was a scare on Thursday after Sri Lanka’s fielding coach Shane McDermott tested positive for COVID and his close contacts Head Coach Mickey Arthur and Batting Coach Grant Flower were isolated. However, after a fresh pcr test, both Arthur and Flower have returned to the fold.

This is the final series for Sri Lanka’s coaching staff including Head Coach Mickey Arthur. The former South Africa First Class cricketer was immensely popular having built up a young team and done so well during the T-20 World Cup. He was seeking an extension to his contract that will end in December but SLC seems to be having other ideas. Arthur (56) will now join English county Derbyshire.

Sri Lanka

(From) Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara, Minod Bhanuka, Roshen Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Suminda Lakshan, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Gunasekara.