Sri Lanka announce squad for New Zealand series, Oshada Fernando returns, Kasun Rajitha out

Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) on Monday, September 16, announced their 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, slated to begin on September 18. Batter Oshada Fernando made his return to the Test squad after over a year, having played his last match for Sri Lanka in March 2023.

He is in terrific form at the moment, scoring 122 and 80 runs respectively in the game against South Africa A last week. He replaced Nishan Madushka, who flopped with the bat in the recent series against England. The 25-year-old was also dropped from the playing XI and is now replaced in the squad.

Kasun Rajitha and Nisala Tharaka have also been dropped from Sri Lanka’s Test squad. Notably, Rajitha was important for the Test squad and looked undroppable at one point last year but his form dropped significantly since then and Sri Lanka also replaced him as the pacer didn’t play a single game in the England series.

Meanwhile, the returning Oshada played 21 Test matches for Sri Lanka and scored 1091 runs at an average of 33.06. Even though he is in very good form at the moment, the cricketer may have to wait for his opportunity, as the batting unit looks stacked at the moment. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are undroppable at the moment and Dimuth Karunaratne has a terrific record at home.

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The spinners on the other hand will have a vital role against New Zealand. However, the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are still not available for selection. The hosts will also miss several key pacers in the upcoming series. Nevertheless, their win in the third Test against England will give the team plenty of confidence for the New Zealand series.

Sri Lanka squad for New Zealand series: 

Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.