SL vs NZ | Sri Lanka include Dinesh Chandimal in squad for first Test against Kiwis
Sri Lanka have included out-of-favour batsman Dinesh Chandimal in their 15-man squad for the first Test against the Kiwis in Galle on August 14. Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru Thirimanne have also made the cut, while Dilruwan Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Shehan Jayasuriya were left out.
Dinesh Chandimal is all set to make a comeback to the Sri Lankan cricket team after six long months after the 29-year-old was included in the team's 15-man squad to face New Zealand in the first Test. Despite averaging more than 40 in the last two years in Test cricket, the former skipper was axed after a dier run against the Aussies earlier this year, which saw him just score a total of 23 runs in four innings.
Meanwhile the trio of Lasith Embuldeniya, Oshada Fernando and Vishwa Fernando - who were instrumental in the side's historic 2-0 series win over South Africa earlier this year - have also retained their place in the squad, along with the likes of Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya De Silva.
Meanwhile, Dilruwan Perera, who picked 50 wickets for the Lankans in Tests last year, has been left out along with Kasun Rajitha, Danushka Gunathilaka and Shehan Jayasuriya.
The first Test against New Zealand at Galle on August 14 will also mark the beginning of the World Test Championship for both sides.
Sri Lanka Squad for 1st Test: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Dananjaya, L Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal,Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando