Sri Lanka make last-minute changes as superstar batter gets ruled out of Australia Test series

The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team suffered a massive blow ahead of their much-awaited two-match Test series against Australia at home. Galle International Cricket Stadium will host the entire Warne-Murali Test series, with the first Test scheduled for January 29 and the second and final Test set to begin on February 6.

Recently, Sri Lanka had announced an 18-member squad for their upcoming home Test series against Australia, starting on January 29. Dhananjaya de Silva-led Test squad featured two uncapped players.

Massive setback for Sri Lanka ahead of Warne-Murali Test Series

Notably, the Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya, alongside Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, has been added to the Test squad for the Warne-Murali Test series despite their injuries.

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However, the Sri Lankan selectors have named a large squad to cover for any potential issues for the upcoming home Test series against Australia. On the other hand, the uncapped players Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha are all set to make their debuts against Australia in Galle.

Pathum Nissanka ruled out of the Test series against Australia

Meanwhile, Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s experienced opening batter, has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Australia due to a groin injury. Following the setback, the national selectors have named the left-arm pacer Isuru Udara and young batting sensation Sonal Dinusha as standbys.

However, in a big relief, Sri Lanka National Cricket Team captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis have been cleared of injuries and are fit to play in the upcoming two-match Test series against Australia, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated in a media release on Monday (January 27): “Sri Lanka’s tried and trusted opening batsman Pathum Nissanka is ruled out with a groin injury, which has prompted the selectors to bring in Isuru Udara and Sonal Dinusha as standbys. Skipper de Silva and Kamindu Mendis too have been cleared from injury to play.”

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Sri Lanka’s updated squad for Australia Tests:

Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.

Standby Players: Isuru Udara and Sonal Dinusha.

Here’s the Sri Lanka Test Squad ready to take on the Warne-Murali Test Series 2025 at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium!
Let’s rally behind our lions as they gear up for this epic battle! #SLvsAUS #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/Zst8FR9XdH

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 24, 2025

Meanwhile, the upcoming two-match Warne-Murali Test series between Sri Lanka and Australia will mark the end of the qualification phase for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. Australia already secured a spot in the WTC 2025 Final against South Africa.

Sri Lankans aim to boost rating in the WTC standing

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan side is currently fifth in the WTC 2023-25 standings, just above England, and they could surpass New Zealand and even India in the points table if they manage to pull off a strong performance in the upcoming home Test series against the Kangaroos.

Notably, Australia will be without their captain, Pat Cummins, due to an ankle injury. In Cummins’s absence, the senior batter and vice-captain, Steve Smith, will play in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka after he recovered from what initially seemed like a serious elbow injury during the BBL 2024-25.