For the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand, Nishan Madushka and Milan Rathnayake have been called up for the first time, while Chamika Karunaratne has returned. Dimuth Karunaratne is leading a 17-member Sri Lanka Cricket squad announced on Friday (February 24).
Madushka, a 23-year-old right-handed opening batsman, is entering the squad in great condition, having made 241 and 100 against the England Lions in two first-class matches this January and February. Additionally, he scored 150 in a practice game for SLC Board President’s XI against the same team. His record stands at 3389 runs from 38 matches, with 300 not out being his highest score. Rathnayake, a 26-year-old pacer, has taken 42 wickets in 22 games of first-class cricket, one of which was a five-wicket haul. He also most recently achieved three dismissals when facing up to the Lions.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
Having made his Test debut against Australia in February 2019, Karunaratne has not played a Test since. In his second first-class match against the Lions, he took four wickets, while in a List A match, he also scored a half-century against the same side. In the limited-overs series against India earlier this year, Karunaratne, who was banned for one year for breaching the player agreement, appeared.
Additionally, Lahiru Kumara, who last played a Test against India in March 2022, is included in the squad. In July last year, Dunith Wellalage, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pathum Nissanka and Dilshan Madushanka were excluded from the squad that played Pakistan in a Test series.
