Sri Lanka drop Tharanga, recall Chandimal
Sri Lanka have dropped opening batsman Upul Tharanga from their Test squad to face New Zealand, after he failed to impress internationally, though despite a recent century for his domestic side.
Tharanga has been replaced by Dimuth Karunaratne, who had in turn made way for the senior man for the Tests against Pakistan and South Africa. Dinesh Chandimal is also included, so there are three keepers in the squad.
Two uncapped players have been named, with paceman Dushmantha Chameera and spinner Tharindu Kaushal getting a chance for a trip away from home. Tharindu's inclusion is timely, considering Rangana Herath's new fitness issues.
The pace attack is a strong one, with Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal available at the same time, which has been rare in the past. Dhammika Prasad has kept his place, after some nippy performances.
The first Test starts on 26 December in Christchurch.
Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Prasanna Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath
Latest
-
NewsGraces Cricket Club preparing for more history in world’s first all-LGBTQ+ match
Graces will face Birmingham Unicorns, who were established last year, in a one-off friendly supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
-
NewsAshley Giles suggests England may reassert Black Lives Matter support in summer
England kicked off their 2020 season by joining the West Indies in taking a knee ahead of all three Test matches between the sides.
-
NewsJofra Archer ready to ‘sit out the summer’ to be fit for T20 World Cup and Ashes
England’s pace bowler had elbow surgery last week.
-
NewsTash Farrant eager for England’s women to play more red-ball cricket
England play their first Test match against India since 2014 next month.
-
NewsFish tanks, pucks, lions and chainsaws – freak injuries in sport
Ben Foakes has joined the list of bizarre sporting injuries after slipping on a sock.
-
NewsEngland’s Ben Foakes out of New Zealand Test series after suffering freak injury
Haseeb Hameed and Sam Billings have been called up to the squad.
-
NewsEngland bowler Jofra Archer starts ‘intensive rehabilitation’ following surgery
The fast bowler has gone under the knife after managing varying degrees of pain in his right elbow for around 18 months.
-
NewsEdgbaston to welcome around 18,000 fans each day for second New Zealand Test
The stadium will be 70 per cent full for England’s second Test against the Black Caps in mid-June after being selected for a Government pilot event.
-
NewsOn This Day in 2015: Bayliss appointed as England start on road to World Cup win
Trevor Bayliss was appointed England head coach on this day six years ago, tasked with a brief to improve the country’s limited-overs fortunes.While he helped them regain the Ashes in his first assignment in the summer of 2015, the Australian’s peak moment at the helm came in 2019 as he shepherded England to their first ever World Cup crown.Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the ups and downs in a reign that came to an end following the drawn Ashes series in September 2019.HighsWorld Cup gloryBeautiful scenes ??England lifted their maiden #CWC19 trophy at the Home of Cricket after …
-
NewsIPL reportedly to resume in September in UAE
The Times of India reports that the competition, postponed in early May, will resume with 10 double-headers in three weeks.