Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka’s Man of the Match in the U-19 Youth Test against England in Northampton in August © ECB
Lahiru Kumara, the 19-year old fast bowler, has received a first call-up to the Sri Lankan Test squad to tour Zimbabwe in October. He made his first-class debut this month, and two matches in, he is set to travel with the seniors to participate in international cricket.
A well-built right-arm seamer from Kandy, Kumara’s selection has come on the back of an 11-wicket haul in a Youth Test in Northampton. His 7 for 82 and 4 for 52 was instrumental in England Under-19s suffering their first loss in six years of four-day matches at home. He was also part of the Sri Lankan team at the Under-19 World Cup in February and graduated to the Sri Lanka A team a few weeks ago, picking up three wickets from two first-class matches against West Indies A.
Kumara was among five seam bowling options that the 17-man squad captained by Angelo Mathews but Suranga Lakmal was the only one with Test-match experience. However, Asela Gunaratne and Lahiru Gamage have played limited-overs cricket for Sri Lanka. The resurfacing of hamstring problems for Nuwan Pradeep and a back injury to Dushmantha Chameera put them out of contention.
Dinesh Chandimal was also not part of the touring party, still recovering from surgery to his thumb, which he had injured playing a domestic match in September. In his stead, Niroshan Dickwella has been picked. Although he is a wicketkeeper batsmen, it may be that Kusal Perera takes up the gloves, as he did in their most recent series against Australia – whom they whitewashed 3-0.
Opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne has been retained despite a spell of four single-digit scores, including two ducks, from his last six Test innings. The selectors have kept faith in him after he struck 131 and 68 captaining Sri Lanka A against West Indies A this month.
Sri Lanka have armed themselves with a strong spin attack led by Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera. Left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan would offer them support on his first tour away from home.
Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando and Roshen Silva are the players who were with the squad for the Australia series but have missed out on this tour. The first of two matches – both to be played in Harare – would begin on October 29.
Sri Lanka squad Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Kasun Madhushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Gamage, Suranga Lakmal, Asela Gunaratne
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo