Batsmen Asela Gunarathna and Niroshan Dickwella have been named in Sri Lanka's squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, following their success in limited-overs internationals over the past month.
Gunaratne hit two match-winning fifties in the recent T20 series in Australia, and had also struck a maiden ODI hundred in South Africa earlier in the month.
The selectors sprang no major surprises on the bowling front. Malinda Pushpakumara, whom SLC had already announced would be part of the squad, is the only first-time addition. Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Vikum Sanjaya - all right-armers - make up the seam-bowling options, while Rangana Herath leads a strong spin contingent featuring Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan in addition to Pushpakumara. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has not played competitive cricket since late last year, and, as such, is unavailable.
Among those omitted from the squad are Kusal Perera, who has been in poor form in both international and domestic cricket over the past few months, and opener Kaushal Silva.
Rangana Herath to lead Sri Lanka
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath will lead the Sri Lanka test squad in the two-match home series against Bangladesh beginning March 7 in Galle. Herath led the Sri Lankan team to victory in November last year, with a clean sweep of 2-0 against Zimbabwe in his first series as captain.
Sri Lanka Squad
Rangana Herath (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara.
Asanka Gurusinghe Appointed as the Sri Lanka cricket team manager
Former international batsman Asanka Gurusinha has been appointed Sri Lanka's manager, SLC has announced. Presently residing in Melbourne, Gurusinha will arrive in Sri Lanka over the next few days to begin work with the team ahead of the series against Bangladesh.
Gurusinha is a Level 3 certified cricket coach with many years of experience, and most recently served as the Consultant Regional Cricket Coach for Cricket Australia.
Though he had not held any official role with Sri Lanka cricket since moving to Australia soon after the 1996 World Cup, Gurusinha had always said he was open to the possibility. Ranjit Fernando, who appointed as the manager for previous tour, appointed as the tour manger for Bangladesh cricket tour to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh to play 100th Test
Bangladesh will play their 100th Test match, against Sri Lanka, on March 15 in Colombo. Having played their first Test in November 2000, Bangladesh will be the last of the Full Members to complete the century, having taken little over 16 years to the mark.
The visitors will begin their tour with a two-day practice game in Moratuwa before the first Test in Galle on March 7 and their milestone match at P Sara Oval a week later.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has said that his team has a chance to challenge home side Sri Lanka during the two-Test series that begins on March 7. Mushfiqur lined up a number of reasons that would be to the visitors' advantage including the lack of senior players in the Sri Lanka line-up and his side's recent form and experience.
"They [Sri Lanka] are without some of the players who have been doing well for a long time as well as their regular captain Angelo Mathews," Mushfiqur said. "They would also be aware of Bangladesh doing well in recent times. We also have Sri Lankans in our coaching staff who can provide us with key information. So taking everything into consideration, we do have a chance in front of us. If we can play our best cricket, the result will be in our favour. We have been able to raise our standard of cricket. It has also contributed to the expectations placed on us. People now believe that if Bangladesh plays well, they can win against any team.
Bangladesh cricket tour to Sri Lanka Schedule
1st Test - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Galle International Stadium – March 7-March 11
2nd Test - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh P Sara Oval, Colombo March 15 – March 19
1st ODI - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium March 25
2nd ODI - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium March 28
3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo April 01
1st T20I - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo April 04
2nd T20I - Sri Lanka v Bangladesh R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo April 09
