Sri Lanka has reintroduced top-order batsman Oshada Fernando into their 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, which was announced on Monday. Meanwhile, Nishan Madushka has been excluded from the team. Fernando last featured for the Test team in March 2023 against New Zealand but has secured his return following a stellar performance for the Sri Lanka 'A' side against South Africa 'A' this month, scoring 122 and 80 runs. Opener Madushka struggled during Sri Lanka's 2-1 Test series loss in England, accumulating only 24 runs in four innings. The team has also opted to leave out bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Nisala Tharaka, and has included wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama. Led by Dhananjaya De Silva, Sri Lanka will face New Zealand in two matches at Galle as part of the International Cricket Council's World Test Championship cycle. The first match, which will be a six-day affair with a rest day, is set to commence on Wednesday.
Squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake.
