Fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Gamage have been added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the third Test, while batsman Danushka Gunathilaka - who played in Galle - has been omitted. Nuwan Pradeep, who is injured, and Rangana Herath, who is being rested on account of a stiff back, also exited the squad.

Chameera’s inclusion was somewhat expected following the injury to Pradeep. Though he has not played a Test since December last year, he has had success in the format, most notably in New Zealand, where he claimed career-best figures of 5 for 47 on a fast, bouncy track in Hamilton. Chameera nursed a stress fracture through much of 2016, and has had only sporadic opportunities with the national team since then. At his quickest, he exceeds 145kph, but is yet to deliver a standout bowling performance since returning from that major injury.

The addition of Gamage, however, was a little more of a surprise. Reputed as a good mover of the ball, he has often played for Sri Lanka’s A team, including against England Lions earlier in the year, but has not been in wicket-taking form recently. He did not take a wicket in the 17 overs he bowled in last month’s practice match against India in Colombo. With Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando already in the squad, Sri Lanka now have four quicks to choose from for the Pallekele Test.

Gunathilaka’s omission, meanwhile, is perhaps owed to little other than circumstance. With Dinesh Chandimal now back in the side after missing the first match due to pneumonia, there are no more spots open in the top four. He had not put pressure on the selectors to remain in the squad either. Though he had come into the series in excellent limited-overs form, Gunathilaka made only 16 and 2 on Test debut.

- Source : ESPN
- Agencies