‌SL vs NZ | Oshada Fernando returns after 18 months hiatus as Sri Lanka announce squad for New Zealand Tests

Arijit Kundu

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

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Sri Lanka have announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand at home. Top-order batter Oshada Fernando has been selected on the back of his impressive Sri Lanka A outing versus South Africa A while three players from the England series have been dropped.

The Lankan Lions are arriving on the back of a 2-1 series defeat against England, albeit they won their latest encounter at the Kennington Oval, London. Following a gritty performance away from home, the Island nation has made minute amendments to gear up for the home series against the Black Caps. 

Oshada has been summoned to the squad after 18 months of absence on the back of a Player of the Match performance in the first unofficial Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka A at Kimberley. The 32-year-old mustered 122 and 80 in both innings to ensure a six-wicket win for the Lions away from home. 

Sri Lanka Cricket Board didn’t bother to retain him there for the second unofficial match and wedged him into the Men’s squad for the Test outing against New Zealand. Coincidentally, the Colombian-born last represented Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series against New Zealand in 2023. With the World Test Championship qualifications on the line, his numbers of 13,28,6, and 5 did not do justice to his potential. 

It is also worth noting that Sri Lanka has left out wicketkeeper-batter Nishan Madushka, pacer Kasun Rajitha, and seam-bowling all-rounder Nisala Tharaka. Madushka failed to impress in the England series while the other two didn’t get a chance to play against the Three Lions. 

Although Oshada’s return adds depth to Sri Lanka’s batting, fitting him in the XI could be difficult. With Pathum Nissanka smashing a scintillating hundred in the third Test against England, he will likely occupy the opener position with experienced Dimuth Karunaratne. 

Meanwhile, New Zealand failed to get a match experience in the scheduled Afghanistan series at the Greater Noida Complex, Noida with the match was abandoned. Both the Tests against Sri Lanka will be at the Galle International Stadium, Galle with the first one starting on September 18.

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