The national selectors have named a 16-man Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming two Tests against South Africa which starts on 12th July in Galle.
The regular Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal was named in the squad as Captain, despite the ICC hearing on 10th July on the Level 3 offence which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha admitted to their offence and this breach carries an imposition of between four and eight suspension points.
The three were charged by the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson for their involvement in the Sri Lankan cricket team’s refusal to take to the field in St Lucia at the start of Saturday’s play, which caused a two-hour delay in the start of play.
Read : Mathews to lead Sri Lanka Board XI
If Chandimal gets banned for two or more games as expected, vice-captain Suranga Lakmal will lead the team. Lakmal led Sri Lanka in the third Test against West Indies in Barbados last month as the islanders levelled the series, 1-1.
Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, who missed the West Indies tour due to injury, returned to the side along with limited-overs captain Angelo Mathews, who returned home early from the Caribbean due to the birth of his second child. Karunarathne replaced Mahela Udawatte who made only 23 runs in 4 innings.
Left-arm chinaman Lakshan Sandakan was also recalled to the team replacing leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was sent home mid-way through the tour following a breach of discipline.
Read: Lakmal set to lead Sri Lanka as Chandimal faces ban
Batsman Kusal Janith Perera and spinner Rangana Herath will be available subject to fitness. Perera crashed onto the advertising hoarding while fielding in the third Test but returned to carry the team through in a crucial chase while Herath split his webbing during a training session prior to the Barbados Test.
Sri Lanka squad for South Africa Tests
Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Suranga Lakmal (Vice-Captain), Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera (subject to fitness), Rangana Herath (subject to fitness), Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha.
Standby – Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Malinda Pushpakumara, Shehan Jayasuriya
