The two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is starting from September 18. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has announced the 16-member squad for the upcoming series on Monday, September 16. Sri Lanka played the last Test series against England, in which the team had to face defeat by 2-1.

New Zealand were scheduled to play a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida from September 9-13 but the match was abandoned due to rain without a single ball being bowled.

Oshada Fernando is back

Sri Lanka has included dashing batsman Oshada Fernando in the team for the Test series against New Zealand. Let us tell you, Fernando has returned to the Test team after almost a year. He played his last match for Sri Lanka in March 2023. Oshada Fernando performed brilliantly in the recent match played between Sri Lanka-A and South Africa-A. He played innings of 122 and 80 runs.

Fernando has replaced Nishan Madushanka in the squad, who flopped with the bat in the last Test series against England. Oshada Fernando has played 21 Test matches for Sri Lanka so far, during which he has scored 1091 runs at an average of 33.06.

These two players were dropped

The Sri Lankan team has dropped Kasun Rajitha and Nisala Tharaka. Kasun Rajitha was part of the team in the Test series against England, but he did not get a chance to play a single match. Dhananjay de Silva will be seen captaining Sri Lanka in the Test series against New Zealand. At the same time, experienced players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal are also part of the squad.

Sri Lanka squad for Test series against New Zealand-

Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Ratnayake

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test Series Schedule-

1st Test- September 18-23, Galle International Stadium, 10 am (IST)

2nd Test- September 26-30, Galle International Stadium 10 am (IST)