Dimuth Karunaratne (on right) to lead Sri Lanka in the Test series against West Indies starting on 21 November. Meanwhile Lahiru Thirimanne (left) is unlikely to be in the Sri Lanka squad and is believed that the batter will no longer play for the country. Photo SLC[/caption]
* Kamil Mishara, Suminda Lakshan, Chamika Gunasekara expected to be included
* End of the road for Lahiru Thirimanne?
* Mickey Arthur in his last assignment with SL
* West Indies to arrive early morning today
* Two-match Test series to start on 21 Nov. in Galle
By Revatha S. Silva
At least three new faces are expected to be included in the home team as Sri Lanka cricket will be back in Test action from 21 November when they start their two-match series in a bio-secure bubble in Galle against the West Indies. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led Windies are to arrive here early morning today (8).
Among the youngsters who are likely to mix with the seniors, under the captaincy of Dimuth Karunaratne, in the Sri Lanka squad are Kamil Mishara, Suminda Lakshan, and Chamika Gunasekara.
Sri Lanka last played a Test match more than six months ago, against Bangladesh in April and May in Pallekele, under Karunaratne, and won the two-match series 1-0.
Kamil Mishara
Mishara, Lakshan, and Gunasekara are likely to get the selectors’ nod due to their commendable performance in the unofficial four-day ‘Test’ series against Pakistan ‘A’ which came to an end yesterday (7) in Pallekele.
Rajapaksha Vidana Pathiranalage Kamil Mishara, 20, a left-handed opening bat from Mahanama College - Panadura, Royal College - Colombo, and Panadura Sports Club, played for Sri Lanka Under-19.
He struck 98 off 97 in the first ‘Test’ and another 98 in 168 balls in the second against Pakistan ‘A’
Lakshan and Gunasekara
Left-handed batter Kumarage Wathe Suminda Lakshan Fernando, 24, a right-handed bat and leg-break bowler is from De La Salle College, Colombo. He plays for Sri Lanka Air Force and Army Sports Club in the domestic circuit.
He had a modest series against the Pakistanis, though, scoring 17, 29, and 25 whilst taking only a wicket with his spinners.
Chamika Deemantha Gunasekara, 21, meanwhile, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and right-handed bat who plays for NCC emerging from Ananda College, Colombo.
Gunasekara is likely to have impressed the national selectors for his 6/83 in the first innings of the second four-dayer against Pakistan ‘A’ in Pallekele.
Lahiru Thirimanne retired?
Not having been named in this squad for West Indies, experienced top-order batter Lahiru Thirimanne, who is reportedly in Australia now, is likely to retire from the game.
The 32-year-old has played 42 Tests since debuting in 2011 and last played for Sri Lanka in the April-May Bangladesh series.
For the Galle Tests as usual, Sri Lanka are expected to go with a strong spin attack. Their ranks are to be filled with spinners such as Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, and now Suminda Lakshan.
Arthur and Co’s last assignment!
The West Indies Test series will most likely be the last assignment for Head Coach Mickey Arthur and his team for Sri Lanka.
The authorities are reportedly planning not to renew their contracts for another two-year term and are to go out for an all-local coaching staff for the ensuing period.
Dasun Shanaka dropped?
Meanwhile Sri Lanka white-ball Captain Dasun Shanaka is expected to be not included in the Sri Lanka Test squad for the Windies series.
Though Sri Lanka performed in a much improved manner in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Gulf, the Skipper failed to live up to expectations scoring only 96 runs in Sri Lanka’s last five games of the tournament.
West Indies squad
West Indies named a 15-man squad for the Sri Lanka Tests on 5 November with Brathwaite as Captain and Jermaine Blackwood as his deputy. The squad also includes uncapped Jeremy Solozano, 26, a left-handed opening batsman.
The two Test matches will be played at the Galle International Stadium following a four-day warm-up match in Colombo, from 14-17 November. The Tests will be held from 21-25 November and 29 November to 3 December.