Lasith Embuldeniya returns to Test cricket after over two years in Sri Lanka’s squad for a two-match series against South Africa. The 17-member team is led by Dhananjaya de Silva, featuring a mix of batters, spinners, and pace bowlers. The first Test is on November 27 in Durban, followed by the second Test in Port Elizabeth on December 5.
Lasith Embuldeniya has been selected to return to the Sri Lankan Test cricket squad after more than two years. He will participate in a two-match Test series against South Africa, commencing later this month. The 17-member squad, announced on Tuesday and captained by Dhananjaya de Silva, includes a balanced mix of nine batters, three specialist spinners, and five pace bowlers. This marks Embuldeniya’s first appearance in Test cricket since June 2022, when he last played against Australia. In addition to Embuldeniya, opening batter Oshada Fernando also makes a comeback after nearly a year of absence from the squad. However, off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has not been included in this series. The first Test is scheduled to take place in Durban on November 27, followed by the second Test in Port Elizabeth on December 5. Prabath Jayasuriya, who had an impressive performance with 18 wickets during the 2-0 series victory against New Zealand in September, joins Embuldeniya as the second left-arm spinner in the squad. The full Sri Lanka squad comprises Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha.
The selection of Lasith Embuldeniya for the Sri Lankan Test squad is significant as he has not participated in Test matches for over two years. His last appearance in Test cricket was in June 2022. This return is noteworthy for both the player and the Sri Lankan cricket team as it demonstrates the team’s commitment to incorporating experienced players into the lineup. The upcoming series against South Africa marks an important time for Sri Lanka, as they aim to solidify their performance in international Test cricket.
In summary, Lasith Embuldeniya’s return to the Sri Lankan Test cricket squad after over two years away is a major highlight as the team prepares for a challenging two-match series against South Africa. With a well-rounded squad led by Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka aims to leverage the experience of players like Embuldeniya and Oshada Fernando to enhance performance in the upcoming matches. The first Test will commence on November 27 in Durban, followed by the second Test in Port Elizabeth on December 5.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
