|| CF DESK ||

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the squad for the home Test series against New Zealand, starting on September 18. 

Sri Lanka are coming off a 1-2 loss against England in an away three-match series. 

Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the 16-member team in the two-match Test series. The hosts didn’t make many changes to their squad from the England series.

Oshada Fernando has been named after more than a year since his last appearance in red-ball cricket. The move could be aimed at solidifying the top-order batting, which couldn’t step up against England.

Wicketkeeper-batter Nishan Madushka was not included in the team, along with Nisala Tharaka and Kasun Rajitha.

The first Test will be played on September 18 and the second match will begin on September 26. Both Tests will take place in Galle.

Squad:

Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake