Sri Lanka will be satisfied with the fact that they will get back the services of two of their most experienced players for the upcoming tour of Windies. Senior batsman Angelo Mathews was declared fit along with fast bowler Suranga Lakmal. Both players were picked in the provisional squad.
However, their selection was subject to fitness. The match fitness of both players was assessed during a residential eight-day camp day in Kandy. It concluded on Wednesday (May 16). The duo was medically cleared earlier in the month.
Mathews returned early from the tour of Bangladesh in January. He was out of action for the next four months and also missed the Nidahas Trophy 2018.
However, he had recovered from the hamstring injury and again sustained a calf injury during the preparations for the Tri-nation Nidahas Trophy 2018.
Meanwhile, speedster Lakmal sustained a side strain which forced him to miss the Inter-Provincial First-class tournament. The fast bowlers were expected to lead the side. He will lead the Sri Lankan bowling attack in the tour of Windies.
However, Lakmal is expected to play only a couple of Tests as the selectors are worried about his workload. Experienced left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is also expected to play only a couple of Tests.
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Southpaw Kusal Perera is believed to be fit despite sustaining a thumb injury during a training session in Kandy.
The Islanders will travel to the Caribbean shores later in the month. They are slated to play a three-day warm-up game in Trinidad before the start of the opening Test in Port of Spain from 6th June. The second Test will be played at St Lucia while the final game will be held in Barbados.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that the Lankans last toured Windies a decade ago. They haven’t yet won a Test series in the Caribbean.
The Sri Lankan squad will consist of 17 players. Some players have been flown in as a cover for those players who are expected to play only a couple of Tests.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (C), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
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