Dimuth to lead 22-member Test squad to South Africa

Sri Lanka Test Captain Dimuth Karunaratne

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka has picked a 22-member squad for the two Test series in South Africa starting later this month with Dimuth Karunaratne retaining the captaincy.

It was under Karunaratne’s leadership that Sri Lanka stunned South Africa on their last tour there in February 2019 winning the two Test series 2-0 to become the first Asian side to win a Test series in South Africa.

Thus the upcoming series starting on Boxing Day at Centurion will see South Africa wanting to avenge that defeat. They have a new captain in Quinton de Kock who has replaced Faf du Plessis, who led the team in their loss to Sri Lanka. Some consolation for Sri Lanka is that South Africa has rested their leading fast bowler Kagiso Rabada who is recovering from a hip injury.

Sri Lanka also has their injury concerns but by the time the tour gets underway the players are expected to be fit and available for selection.

The squad of 22 they have picked to go to South Africa is the same that underwent a 10-day training camp in Pallekele in preparation for the tour. All the bases were covered and the squad has been in training for the last few months in between stops for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Opening bat Oshada Fernando is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained while batting for Dambulla Viiking in their opening LPL match against Kandy Tuskers last month and Sri Lanka team manager Ashantha de Mel said that he might miss the first Test against South Africa starting on 26 December.

“According to the physios Oshada will be okay. He can bat, they have put him in a brace and they are removing it in a few days. Basically we have opted to take him and go so that he will work with them in South Africa. We will need Oshada for the England series too so it is better to keep him with us so that he can bat and get some practice. The only thing is, he will not be able to do other things on the field till the end of the month. We are coming straight to the England series at home from the South African bubble so it is better for Oshada to be in the side so that the physios can attend to him,” said De Mel.

“Oshada may not play in the first Test match but he will be fit for the second one. The first Test we most likely might open with Kusal Perera. He scored a match winning 153 on the last tour although he didn’t open, but in the current situation we feel he might do well as an opener because he can play the new ball. Otherwise, we will have to see whom we can open with.”

Kusal Perera, who leads the Tuskers, took a blow on the knee while keeping wickets during the LPL match against Galle Gladiators on Thursday and De Mel said that he has been sent for an MRI scan, but he is expected to be alright. 

Dhananjaya de Silva (small side strain) and Niroshan Dickwella (slight groin strain) are the other Sri Lanka players whose injuries caused some concern but De Mel said that they are “okay” and will play in the upcoming LPL matches.

The squad has five uncapped Test players in Wanindu Hasaranga, Minod Bhanuka, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Santhush Gunathilaka. 

Sri Lanka will be playing in a Test match after 11 months, the last taking place at Harare on 27 January against Zimbabwe. 

The team of 22 players and 10 officials are due to leave for South Africa on the morning of 18 December.

SRI LANKA TEST SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR (Subject to Sports Ministry ratification): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Santhush Gunathilaka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dilruwan Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka