Kap Star
Sri Lanka First Test XI should be:
1.Dimuth Karunaratne
2.Lahiru Thirimanne (Averages about nearly 50+ in batting in Australia)
3.Pathum Nissanka (Averages about nearly 60.75 in First Class cricket right now)
4. Kusal Mendis
5.Angelo Mathews
6.Dinesh Chandimal (Captain)(Wicket-Keeper)
7.Roshen Silva (He is more of a consistent performer than Niroshan Dickwella and should be picked ahead of Dickwella)
8.Dushmantha Chameera
9.Suranga Lakmal
10.Lakshan Sandakan
11.Lahiru Kumara
12.Nuwan Pradeep
13. Dhananjaya De Silva
14.Sadeera Samarawickrama
15.Niroshan Dickwella
16.Dilruwan Perera
17.Kasun Rajitha
Pathum Nissanka PERFORMANCE details:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8830/game/1166071/nondescripts-cricket-club-vs-sri-lanka-army-sports-club-group-a-premier-league-tournament-tier-a-2018-19
It would be nice to see the selectors award those in form but I feel it’s highly unlikely they will include Pathum Nissanka, given he’s not in the squad to New Zealand. Shammu Ashan is another one.
My starting XI for the next NZ test and to continue in Australia:
Dimuth Karunaratne (vc)
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Dhananjaya de Silva
Kusal Mendis
Angelo Mathews
Dinesh Chandimal (c)
Niroshan Dickwella (wk)
Dilruwan Perera
Suranga Lakmal
Nuwan Pradeep
Lahiru Kumara
Pathum Nissanka is has a chance as they will make one or two changes to the squad also because we have New Selectors they haven`t made any major chance for the Test squad in New Zeland but now that they have settled in and probably saw a few First-Class Matches in Sri Lanka and seeing some players failures in the national squad. There is a very high chance of Pathum Nissanka getting selected also considering SLC plan to send a few of there Test only Players early to Austrailia after the New Zeland Test series to get used to the Australian condition it`s even more likely. Since players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Roshen Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera and others will be doing it so there might send one or two others from Sri Lanka as well.
Hopefully, Pathum Nissanka is selected and shines by scoring big in Austrailia.
Hi @kap_star,
I noticed you have submitted the same blog post twice (see links below). Any reason for that? They appear identical to me. If it’s accidental, I will delete the post with no comments on it.
https://www.islandcricket.lk/blogs/sri-land-test-squad-against-australia/
https://www.islandcricket.lk/blogs/sri-lanka-test-squad-against-australia/
https://www.islandcricket.lk/blogs/sri-land-test-squad-against-australia/
This one has a spelling mistake in the title
OK -noted. I removed it. Thanks!
*Have a strong feeling that Roshen Silva’s batting technique is not suitable for pace and bounce ( I’m not a technical expert btw) , although he is one of the few players in our squad with test match temperament !
*Lakshan Sandakan has to increase his consistency (line and Length) drastically to even play test let alone playing as the only front line spinner.
*What about Kamindu Mendis, kid got a reasonable technique and can bowl with both arms plus a fine fielder and still 20. Give him some time and exposure,it’ll be like having 3 players in one spot !!!