SLC announces the Test squad for the first two matches against South Africa

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa. The skipper Dinesh Chandimal has been included despite the possibility of ban is looming large over him. He was found guilty in the ball tampering scandal during the series against Windies and was banned from playing in the final Test match of the series.

Chandimal is unlikely to play in the Tests against the Proteas also as the ICC has charged him, coach Chandika Hathurusingha and the team manager for not taking the field during the second Test match against Windies. The trio has also pleaded guilty for level three offence for bringing the spirit of the game into disrepute and there is every possibility that they might get banned for a few matches.

The hearing is set to take place on July 10, only a couple of days before the first Test match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Galle.

Is Mathews available?

While Dinesh Chandimal has been named the captain of the squad, Suranga Lakmal will take over in all probabilities if he is banned. He led the team to a historic series levelling victory in the third and final Test which was played under the lights against the Windies. Angelo Mathews has also made his comeback to the side who had flown back home in the middle of the tour to the Caribbean nation citing personal reasons.

According to Rangana Herath and Kusal Perera have been included as well but their availability will be subject to fitness. While the former had split the webbing of his finger during the practice, Perera endured a horrible accident as he had fell awkwardly after crashing on to the advertising hoardings.

The remainder of the squad is same with only Dimuth Karunaratne returning to the side who missed the Windies tour due to the fractured hand.

Sri Lanka squad for the first two Tests:

Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (subject to fitness), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath (subject to fitness), Suranga Lakmal (vice capt), Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha

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