The top-order batter Oshada Fernando has returned to the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming test series against New Zealand at home.
The 32-year-old Oshada Fernando has been named in the 16-member squad after 18 months of absence and hence opening batter Nishan Madushka has been dropped. The fast-bowling all-rounder Nisala Tharaka and seamer Kasun Rajitha have been also dropped from the squad.
Oshada’s return follows after an impressive display with the A team, who are currently touring South Africa. The 32-year batter who has played 21 tests, smashed 122 and 80 on the way to a Player of the Match when Sri Lanka A won the first two unofficial tests in Kimberley.
His Performance was enough to fall in the eyes of selectors to add him to the test squad for the first time since March 2023.
Madushka was the surprise exclusion, following his struggle in the first two tests of the Sri Lanka tour of England where he scored 4, 0, 7, and 13 before being dropped out of the third test.
His replacement at the top of the order, Pathum Nissanka, struck a match-winning century in the final test, which now means he will not be a regular in the playing 11 for the side.
Tharaka and Rajitha played a game in England, and the seamers that did – Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Milan Rathnayake will be playing the upcoming tour considering the spin-friendly conditions in Galle.
Despite his recall, Oshada might find it difficult to secure a spot in the batting lineup. Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kamindu Mendis will likely retain their places in the playing 11.
The remaining three slots going to lead spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and two others likely two seamers, or possibly even an extra spinner in Jeffrey Vandersay. It’s hard to see where Oshada fits in unless one of the senior men in Mathews or Karunaratne makes way.
The first test of the tour will be played between September 18 and 23 at Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka Squad for New Zealand test
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
