Hasaranga makes comeback to Test cricket after retiring

• Named in Sri Lanka’s 17-member squad for series against Bangladesh

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga who retired from Test cricket last August has changed his mind and made himself available for the longer format of the game again.

Hasaranga who has appeared in four Tests without much success announced his retirement saying he wanted to be available for franchise cricket. However, seven months after taking that decision he has informed Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga that he is once again available to play Test cricket.

As a result Hasaranga who figured in the recently concluded T20I and ODI series against Bangladesh on the current tour has been included in Sri Lanka’s Test squad of 17 players named for the two-match Test series starting at Sylhet on 22 March.

Hasaranga is one of four changes the squad has undergone. Missing from the squad that won the one-off Test against Afghanistan last month are fast bowlers Asitha Fernando who is injured and Milan Ratnayake who has been dropped.

Lahiru Kumara replaces Asitha Fernando while Ratnayake’s place has been taken by Hasaranga who will form a four-member spin combination with Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis and uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris. 26-year-old Peiris is the leading wicket taker in the ongoing National Super League 4-day tournament capturing 24 wickets from four matches for Galle at a cost of 14.29. In 37 first-class matches Peiris, a consistent wicket-taker in domestic cricket has 153 wickets at an average of 24.79. His presence in the squad is certain to put pressure on the other off-spinner in the squad Ramesh Mendis, who has been rather inconsistent in his Test performances.

Apart from these changes the rest of the squad remains the same that was picked for the Test against Afghanistan. The two-match Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship and carries points for wins and draws. Sri Lanka have yet to get points on the board and lie at the bottom of the standings having lost their only series played so far in the championship against Pakistan 2-0.