Sri Lanka have named a 17-member squad for the two-Test series against South Africa

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. After a long hiatus, pacer Kasun Rajitha has been recalled to the squad. Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya also makes a return to the team after two years. Embuldeniya last played in 2022 against Australia, but was dropped from the squad for Sri Lanka’s home series against Pakistan after failing to take any wickets in that series.

From the squad that faced New Zealand at home in September, all-rounder Ramesh Mendis and left-arm spinner Jeffrey Vandersay have been excluded from the South Africa series.

The rest of the squad includes experienced batsmen Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Sadira Samarewikrama. The team will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva.

All-rounders in the squad include Kamindu Mendis, veteran Angelo Mathews, and Milan Rathnayake.

The pace bowling unit features Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Rajitha, while the spin department will be bolstered by Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, and Embuldeniya.

This series is part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and is crucial for both teams as they aim for a spot in the WTC final. The first Test will be played in Durban on November 29, with the second Test set for St. George’s Park in Gqeberha. The Sri Lanka team will depart for South Africa on November 22.