Kusal Perera, wicket-keeper batsmen was included in team squad to play against the upcoming England tour of Sri Lanka. Perera thought to be sidelined due to his right middle finger injury during the second T20I against West Indies on Friday. On the same day, Wanindu Hasranga also side-lined due to left hamstring injury while fielding in the same match. Despite both, the player thought to be sidelined for England series but Perera recovered within a week and added to the squad.
“Kusal’s finger is a minor bone disorder,” said Sri Lanka team manager Asantha de Mel. “It didn’t hurt the bone.”
Kusal Perera did not appear for test innings for ages. Perera has not played in the longest format after being left out for the tour of Zimbabwe earlier this year. Then he played one of the greatest test innings of all time in Durban in February 2019. His last appearance in test matches was in Colombo vs New Zealand match.
He was also a member of the squad in the test tour of Pakistan but had been dropped by the chief selector Asantha de Mel after consulting the coach. Perera played well in West Indies tour of Sri Lanka with 42 and 44 as his first and third ODI scores respectively. Then 38-ball 66 in the first T20I.
Wanindu Hasranga being the 16th member of the squad but couldn’t get a game as his injury was completely not recovered. Lahiru Thirumanne will be out of their squad against England’s test.
The first match is going held between March 19- March 23 at Galle international stadium, Galle.
Sri Lanka squad
Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Wanindu Hasaranga (injured, replacement to be named before the first Test)
