Lahiru Thirimanne axed from Sri Lanka Test squad

Lahiru Thirimanne axed from Sri Lanka Test squad: Struggling Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has  been dropped from the Test squad after being ignored in Sri Lanka’s most recent Test against West Indies. Thirimanne could also not find a place in the T20I team. However, he has been named in the ODI squad and will continue to play as the vice-captain of the team.

Kusal Mendis, who replaced him against West Indies at Colombo has once again found a place in the squad as his replacement. Mendis is only one Test old and scored just 13 and 39 in that match against West Indies.

“We all saw what Kusal Mendis’ capabilities were in his match in Colombo, where he was facing fast bowlers bowling at 145kph, we’re confident that he’s got the capability. You’ve got to take the plunge at some point,” said the chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene.

Wicket-keeper batsman Kaushal Silva and off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal have also failed to make in to the Test squad. Apart from that, uncapped opening batsman Udara Jayasundera and rookie leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay have been selected in the Test squad.

“Udara Jayasundera has been among the runs and has been batting very well,we’re just following our policy of picking players on form and giving youngsters who show potential the opportunity, whenever the situation warrants,” the chief selector justified.

Sri Lanka have opted for three spinners and four fast bowlers. Nuwan Pradeep, Dhamika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera and Shaminda Eranga are the quicks named in the Test squad. Whereas, Rangana Herath, Jeffrey Vandersay and Dilruwan Perera are the spinners in the squad. Jeffrey Vandersay has performed extremely well in the domestic circuit. The 25-year-old picked up two five wicket hauls versus New Zealand A in a recently concluded series.

“A wristspinner brings a different dimension and lot more attacking possibilities to any side with Rangana and Dilruwan as our main, frontline spinners, we just thought Vandersay would give us another option. We do have our reasons for picking three spinners for the tour. We’ll wait and see,” said Wijegunawardene.

Sri Lanka will play two tests, five ODI games and two T20 matches in New Zealand from December 10 to January 10. Sri Lanka Cricket named a 16-member squad for ODI matches and 15 players for the T20 squad. The first test begins on 10th December.

Sri Lanka Test squad:

Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Mendis, Udara Jayasundera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Sri Lanka ODI squad:

Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Milinda Siriwardana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Dhammika Prasad, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamara Kapugedera, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Sri Lanka T20 squad:

Lasith Malinga (captain), Kusal Janith Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Sachithra Senanayake, Isuru Udana.