Angelo Mathews is finally set to return to the Sri Lanka national team ahead of their next assignment in West Indies in June. Nearly six months after his last appearance for the island nation, Mathews will once again feature in the Lankan side when they meet West Indies in the first match of a three-Test series, on June 6.

Mathews was announced the limited-overs captain following after Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha joined the side. A tri-nation series involving Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the hosts—Bangladesh was Mathews’ first challenge in the new role.

A hamstring injury sustained during a match between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka then ruled the all-rounder out of the tri-series and the Bangladesh series after that. Two months later, another calf injury ruled him out of the Nidahas Trophy.

Sri Lanka will have another senior player—Suranga Lakmal fit and available for the bilateral series. The fast bowler was ruled out of last month’s Super Provincial four-day competition due to a side strain. Prior to that, he was rested for most of Nidahas Trophy in March.

Both players had been named in the travelling squad, but there were concerns regarding their match fitness. However, SLC is now expecting both of them to be ready for the upcoming tour after assessing their fitness during an eight-day resedential training camp.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Mathews will only be used in his capacity as a batsman, while Lakmal's workload too will be managed on a game by game basis. Lakmal's return strengthens the team’s fast bowling line-up with Mathews unavailable in the attack.

“Mathews will not be bowling, while Lakmal's inclusion [in the third Test] will depend on how much he bowls in the first two games,” said Chief selector Graeme Labrooy. “That however depends on the selection committee on tour, and how much of a workload he undertakes.”

Sri Lanka will playing in the Caribbean islands after ten long years. They are yet to beat West Indies in an away Test series.