Lasith Embuldeniya, the left-arm spinner, has made a significant return to the Sri Lankan national team, being selected for the two-match Test series in South Africa, marking his first Test appearance in over two years. Complementing his inclusion in the squad is off-spinner Nishan Peiris, who recently debuted in Test cricket against New Zealand in September. The notable exclusion from the squad is Ramesh Mendis, an off-spinning all-rounder, despite his commendable performance of six wickets in his only Test match earlier this year. Mendis also possesses batting capabilities, which adds depth to his skill set.
Prabath Jayasuriya will spearhead the spin department for Sri Lanka, indicating a strategic reshuffle within the team as they prepare to play in Durban and Gqeberha. These venues are known for surfaces that tend to provide more spin, particularly as the matches progress, thus underlining the importance of including capable spin bowlers in the squad.
In terms of the batting and fast-bowling combinations, the squad reflects expected selections. The pace attack comprises Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha, alongside all-rounder Milan Rathnayake. While top-order batsman Oshada Fernando has been included, there was no spot for Nishan Madushka, who has garnered attention with a promising start in one-day internationals.
Both Embuldeniya and Oshada have been chosen, in part, due to their previous successes in South Africa during the 2019 tour, where they played in Durban and what was then known as Port Elizabeth. Embuldeniya, during that series, showcased his capabilities by claiming six wickets at an average of 23.83 across three innings. Oshada Fernando contributed significantly with a resilient fourth-innings score of 75 not out, aiding the team in a challenging chase alongside Kusal Mendis. However, it is worth noting that neither player has recently excelled in domestic cricket. That said, Embuldeniya did perform reasonably well in the four-day National Super League.
Preparation for the series has been a priority, with several Test specialists already in Durban participating in a training camp. This camp, partially guided by Neil McKenzie, a former South African cricketer serving as a consultant, focuses on ensuring the players are well-prepared for the upcoming matches. Additionally, Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, and Pathum Nissanka have been withdrawn from the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand to gain extra recovery time before the Tests commence.
The first Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa is scheduled to begin on November 27 at Kingsmead, Durban. Both teams have a critical opportunity to challenge for positions in the top two of the World Test Championship standings, making this series highly significant for both sides.
In summary, the Sri Lankan Test squad for the series against South Africa is as follows:
Dhananjaya de Silva (captain)
Pathum Nissanka
Dimuth Karunaratne
Dinesh Chandimal
Angelo Mathews
Kusal Mendis
Kamindu Mendis
Oshada Fernando
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Prabath Jayasuriya
Nishan Peiris
Lasith Embuldeniya
Milan Rathnayake
Asitha Fernando
Vishwa Fernando
Lahiru Kumara
Kasun Rajitha
This upcoming series serves not only as a platform for individual players to showcase their skill sets but also as a pivotal opportunity for the Sri Lankan team to assert its position within the World Test Championship landscape. Each player's performance will be instrumental in determining the outcomes of these Tests and the overall success of the series in South Africa.