Oshada Fernando, who was part of the recent New Zealand tour, was dropped from the outfit, while uncapped leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha earned a maiden call-up. Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya are the other spinners in the squad. Notably, Embuldeniya last played a Test in July 2022 in Galle during Australia’s tour of the Island.
Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and the uncapped Milan Rathnayake are the pace bowling options as Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara are rested for the red-ball fixture.
In the absence of Niroshan Dickwella, who has been excluded from the squad, the wicketkeeping duties could either go to Sadeera Samarawickrama or Nishan Madushka.
Notably, Samarawickrama hasn’t played in a Test match since 2017 while Madushka made his debut in the longest format in New Zealand. Pathum Nissanka, who had missed out from the squad for the New Zealand tour, continues to remain on the sidelines.
Initially, Ireland had plans to visit Sri Lanka for a single Test and two ODIs, but the itinerary was later updated to include an additional Test. During the past year, Sri Lanka has participated in eight Test matches, and there was a gap of more than six months between their home series against Australia and their tour of New Zealand.
Sri Lanka squad for the first Test against Ireland:
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wicketkeeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wicketkeeper), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dushan Hemantha, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
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