Dinesh Chandimal Named Skipper Against Proteas amidst Suspension Threat

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have named Dinesh Chandimal, as the skipper for the two-match Test series against South Africa, even though he may be unavailable due to suspension.

Meanwhile, Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusingha, and manager Asanka Gurusinha had admitted breaching ICC’s code of conduct. However, the team delayed play during the second Test against the Windies last month.

The minimum punishment for the offence is suspension from two Tests for Chandimal. Furthermore, the hearing will take place on Tuesday (July 10), two days before the start of the first Test.

Sri Lanka have also included Rangana Herath and Kusal Perera in the 16-man squad, but their participation is subject to fitness.

Herath split the webbing on his bowling hand ahead of the third Test against the Windies. On the other hand, Perera collided with a boundary hoarding during the final Test.

Angelo Mathews returns to the squad after he left the Windies tour to attend the birth of his second child. They also have named a potent seam attack with Suranga Lakmal leading the pack. Meanwhile, the Islander came back strong after going 1-0 down against the Windies.

They were in a position to win the second Test. However, the unnecessary delay reduced the game time. Furthermore, they came back even stronger in the last Test to win it by four wickets banking on a superb effort from the bowlers.

Sri Lanka will host the first Test in Galle which begins on July 12. Then they will move to Colombo for the second Test from July 20.

Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera (subject to fitness), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath (subject to fitness), Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Rajitha.

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