SL vs AUS 2024-25 - Test Series - Sonal Dinusha and Lahiru Udara included in Sri Lanka squad

Sonal DinashaA 24-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder, has been named in Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the two-match series against Australia, starting on January 29 in Galle.

opening batter Lahiru Udara Also included, possibly as cover for patham nisankaAfter picking up a groin strain while batting during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on 11 January, Joe is racing to be fit for the first Test.

captain Dhananjay De Silva Is nursing an injury as well, having retired from a first-class game with a side strain less than two weeks ago.

leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and offspinner mark peiris Also make the squad, with Prathath Jayasuriya to lead the spin attack. On the seam-bowling front, Sri Lanka have four options – Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake.

Despite the impressive tour of South Africa in November and December, batting options are expected. Dimuth Karunaratne is set to play his 100th Test in the second Test, with Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, De Silva and Kusal Mendis likely to make up the remainder of the batting lineup. Sadera Samarawickrama is in the squad, possibly as a spare middle-order batsman and keeper.

Dinasha’s inclusion comes on the back of both an impressive domestic record and recent form. He has been outstanding with the bat for Colombo Cricket Club over the past few weeks, hitting two first-class hundreds in the last month. He was in the runs for the Sri Lanka A side in November, against Pakistan A. After 44 first-class matches, he averaged 40.08 with the bat and 24.06 with the ball.

Unlike Dinasha, who has never made the senior Sri Lankan squad before, Udara has been a home-grown performer for years and has been on the fringes of the team. He is uncapped in the tests, however, although he has played 97 first-class games. He also makes the squad in decent form, having made 142 and 65 in his last five innings.

Sri Lanka have no serious hopes of making the World Test Championship final, having lost six of the 11 matches they have played so far in this cycle. Australia have won 11 of their 17 matches with two draws. Australia has it all but Sealed a spot in the WTC final With South Africa, and can only lose if they are not likely to concede too many penalty points during the Sri Lanka tests.

Both the tests will be played in Galle.

Sri Lanka squad for Australia test series

Dhananjay de Silva (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Patham Nissanka (subject to fitness), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadera Samaravik, Sonal Dinash, Sonal Dinash, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.

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