Kasun Rajitha and Lasith Embuldeniya Return to Sri Lanka’s Test Squad for South Africa Series

Sri Lanka has named a 17-man squad for the Test series against South Africa starting November 29, featuring the return of fast bowler Kasun Rajitha and spinner Lasith Embuldeniya. Their inclusion follows notable past performances, aiming to enhance Sri Lanka’s chances in the crucial series for World Test Championship points.

Sri Lanka has announced a 17-member Test squad for their forthcoming two-match series against South Africa, scheduled to commence on November 29 in Durban. Fast bowler Kasun Rajitha and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya have made notable inclusions, returning after respective absences from the national team. Rajitha, who was omitted during Sri Lanka’s recent 2-0 series victory over New Zealand, has demonstrated his capabilities by capturing eight wickets in his last Test against Bangladesh. Furthermore, he was integral to Sri Lanka’s historic Test series win in South Africa in 2019, where he secured nine wickets. On the other hand, Embuldeniya is set to make his return following a two-year gap since his last Test appearance in 2022, after exhibiting strong performances in the recent National Super League Tournament, where he claimed 17 wickets for Kandy. The selection has led to the exclusion of all-rounder Ramesh Mendis and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, while the core team remains unchanged. Key players include experienced batsmen such as Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka, alongside wicketkeeper-batters Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal. The leadership mantle is held by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, supported by all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis. The bowling lineup remains robust, featuring fast bowlers Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara, complemented by spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris alongside Embuldeniya. This series is crucial for both teams, as they vie for significant points in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, aiming for a place in the final. The second Test will take place at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha as part of this competitive series.

The context surrounding Sri Lanka’s Test squad announcement centers on their upcoming series against South Africa. Having experienced a mix of successes and challenges in recent tours, including a victorious home series against New Zealand, the team looks to leverage returning talents like Rajitha and Embuldeniya to strengthen their lineup. With both players having previous successful outings, particularly Rajitha’s impactful performance in past contests against South Africa, their inclusion aims to enhance the team’s prospects in a critical series that also impacts the World Test Championship standings. This blend of a formidable batting and balanced bowling attack illustrates Sri Lanka’s strategic approach as they prepare for the fierce competition ahead.

In summary, the inclusion of Kasun Rajitha and Lasith Embuldeniya in Sri Lanka’s Test squad signifies a strategic reinforcement ahead of the series against South Africa. Their previous performances and recent improvements bode well for the team, as Sri Lanka seeks to secure valuable WTC points. With a strong core of experienced players supporting this duo, the squad appears well-positioned for the challenges that lie ahead in Durban and Gqeberha.

Original Source: www.indiatoday.in