WZRD
Left-arm spinners Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya have been left out of Sri Lanka’s 18-member squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan starting July 16.
The more inexperienced left-arm spinners, Prabath Jayasuriya, who picked up a record 12 wickets on Test debut against Australia, and uncapped Dunith Wellalage, who were drafted in the Covid-hit squad ahead of the second Test last week, have been included…
It’s a wise decision to include both leg spinners (Prabath & Wellalage) in the squad. It was obvious during the Aussie matches, that in Galle wicket, finger spinners are more effective than the wrist spinners. So playing Vandersay will not be a good option. Although both Prabath & Wellalage are left arm orthodox spinners they both have different capabilities. Dunith can generate more turn and he can also be used as a reliable lower order batter as well. So the best team combination for the test will be,
(1) Dimuth K
(2) Pathum N
(3) Kusal M (WK)
(4) Angelo M
(5) Chandimal (WK)
(6) DDS
(7) Wellalage
(8) Ramesh M
(9) Prabath J
(10) Asitha F
(11) Kasun R
If they decide to play only one seamer, Mahesh Theekshana can play in place of Kasun Rajitha.