Predicting the Sri Lankan squad for the New Zealand test series
A rejuvenated Sri Lankan cricket team ended a long 44 month drought to win the first one day international (ODI) series at home against Bangladesh. In fact, Sri Lanka didn’t just win the series, we thoroughly outplayed Bangladesh in all elements of the game. This win wraps up a remarkable 6 months of cricket for the Sri Lankan cricket team which started with an unbelievable test victory over South Africa at Durban scripted by an special knock by Kusal Perera and then becoming the first Asian team ever to win a test series in South Africa.
A lot has contributed to this magnificent turnaround by the team;
· Astute leadership of Dimuth Karunaratne
· Inspirational performances of Lasith Malinga even when the ODI captaincy was taken away from him
· Consistent form of Kusal Perera in ODIs and Tests
· Return of Angelo Mathews
· Emergence of youngsters such as Avishka Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Oshada Fernando and Lasith Embuldeniya
In couple of weeks’ time Sri Lanka will start their ICC World Test Championship campaign against the world cup runners-up New Zealand. With a maximum of 120 points on offer (60 per win, 30 per tie and 20 per draw), this two match series is one of the six that each side will play during the 2 year window. Sir Lankan team is only scheduled to play a total of 13 matches in the championship which is the lowest number of tests allocated to a country along with Pakistan.
Performances in this tournament is critical to the future of Sri Lankan test cricket which needs to regain its position as one of the leading teams in the game in order to attract more tournaments with top sides such as Australia, England and India.
This article is focused on identifying the best Sri Lankan squad to face Kane Williamson’s New Zealand side in Galle and P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo.
Top Order
1. Dimuth Karunaratne
There is no debate about Dimuth’s position in the side as opening batsman and the captain. During the last six months he has established himself as a long term candidate to the Sri Lankan captaincy in Tests and ODIs. He is ranked 13th according to the ICC test batting rankings and he was the only Sri Lankan to feature in the ICC Test Team of the Year for 2018.
However, Dimuth’s form in 2019 has been bit disappointing scoring only 180 runs in 8 innings at a meager average of 22.5 with solitary half century against Australia. Hopefully, he will be back at his best against New Zealand.
2. Who will partner Dimuth?
Finding a permanent opining partner for Dimuth has always been a concern for Sri Lanka. In 2018, we gave opportunities to Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Kaushal Silva. Then in 2019, selection committee headed by Ashantha De Mel decided to recall Lahiru Thirimanne to open. However, Thirimanne’s only managed to score 175 runs at an average of 21.87 on his return, which is reflective of his overall career stats.
Even though, Thiri has the talent to become one of the best batsman for Sri Lanka in limited overs cricket, his test record is one of the worst for a specialist batsman. Therefore, it’s time to look for an alternative opener for the New Zealand series.
Question remains, can we promote a player who plays down the order or should we look for new talent based on domestic performance?
If we are looking from within the existing set up Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva comes to my mind as top candidates. Of these three, Kusal Mendis had a great start as an opener against Bangladesh in 2018. However, Sri Lanka seems to be grooming him as a long-term solution to number 4 position that was once occupied by Dinesh Chandimal. Even though, Dhananjaya de Silva has been successful top order batsman in domestic cricket, his test fortunes have come lower down the order at number 6 and 7 positions. However, he has couple of centuries at number 3 which suggest he might be a handy option as opener and he will also enable Sri Lanka to have a left and right hand combination at top.
However, Dimuth and Kusal has formed a formidable partnership in ODIs since 2019 cricket world cup. The pair has scored 542 runs together in 9 innings at an average of 60.22 with five 80+ run partnerships. While Kusal seems to be in the form of his life, there are few things that needs to be considered before moving him to the top of the order. During, his short career of 16 matches, Kusal has batted in all positions from opener to number 8, and he finally played the greatest inning of his career (maybe the greatest test innings ever) at number 5. Therefore, Sri Lanka should ideally let him settle down at a fixed position sooner rather than later. In addition, if Kusal is to keep wickets, it might be a tall order to do both duties.
If we look outside of the current set up, Avishka Fernando comes to mind based on his success in the ODIs. Avishka who made his first class debut in 2016 has done well at Colts and scored 954 runs at an average of 35. However, when you looking at the first class stats you cannot look beyond 21 year old Pathum Nissanka who has been a run machine for NCC brilliant average of 61.6 from 25 matches.
Verdict — I would like to see Pathum Nissanka getting a chance to open the batting for Sri Lanka with Dimuth against New Zealand.
3. Oshada Fernando
Oshada played a key role in Sri Lanka’s success in the South African series, especially with scoring a match winning 75* in the second innings of the second test. While it was surprising that he was omitted from the World Cup and Bangladesh ODI series, I hope Sri Lankan selectors would continue with him in tests. In South Africa he showed that he had the technique and the temperament to succeed against an attack which included Steyn, Rabada and Olivier. He should be a good bet against Boult, Wagner and Southee in much slower Sri Lankan wickets.
Middle Order
4. Kusal Mendis
As much as fans to criticize him, Mendis remains one of the brightest prospects of Sri Lankan cricket and he will occupy the number 4 position in the near future. Mendis has 6 test centuries to his name at the age of 24 and three of them have come in foreign conditions. In addition, to his batting Mendis will also function as the backup wicket keeper.
However, it is interesting to note that Mendis also has an average of 56.4 as a test opener from 9 inning which includes two centuries.
5. Kusal Perera
Kusal Perera has been the most successful Sri Lankan batsman so far in both Test and ODIs in 2019. He has finally found consistency across formats and seems to be in the form of his career. In addition, during the ICC world cup selectors made tactical move to hand over the wicket keeping duties to him, which makes sense as most of his injuries in recent past came while fielding in the outfield. Therefore, there is strong case for him to bat at number 5 where he scored a magnificent 153* against South Africa while taking the wicket keeping responsibilities. The other alternative approaches would be to promote him as an opener to ensure Matthews bats at number 5.
6. Angelo Mathews
Return of Angelo Mathews will strengthen the Sri Lankan batting line up greatly. Given Kusal Perera’s recent performances, I kept Angelo at number 6 position, even though most of his success has been at number 5. However, considering his experience and recent partnerships with Kusal Mendis, offers a strong case to promote him to his usual number 5 position.
7. Dhananjaya De Silva
Given the fact that Mathews is unlikely to ball, Dhananjaya De Silva will come into the side as the all-rounder. Dhananjaya has done really well with the ball (even more than as a batsman) in recent past, which includes a five wickets (15/2 and 36/3) against South Africa when Lasith Embuldeniya got injured. However, going forward he needs to chip in more with the bat if he wants to survive in the team.
Bowlers
Sri Lanka can choose either 3 spinners or settle for 2 fast bowlers assuming Dhananjaya De Silva will act as the third spinning option. I believe, Sri Lanka will opt for 3 spinners at Galle and might go for the additional fast bowling option in Colombo.
8. Dilruwan Perera
Dilruwan will lead the Sri Lankan spin bowling attack in Galle. Even though, his was largely ineffective in faster surfaces of Australia and South Africa, Dilruwan’s solid record in Sri Lanka as illustrated in the chart given below and his 5 years of experience will earn him a spot against New Zealand.
That said, given that he is 37 years old, another poor performance in this series might have a huge impact on his future in Sri Lankan test side.
9. Suranga Lakmal
Experienced Lakmal will spear head the Sri Lankan attack and he is likely to be the lone seam bowling option at the Galle test. Although, Lakmal’s career bowling average is very high for a front-line bowler, he has taken 41 wickets since 2018 at an average of 26.5, establishing his place as Sri Lanka’s premier fast bowler for test cricket.
10. Lasith Embuldeniya
After a brief injury hiatus Embuldeniya is back in form taking 18 wickets in the two unofficial test matches against South Africa Emerging Team at South Africa. Given his exceptional first class record given below and his performances in South Africa in February should earn him a place in Sri Lankan eleven.
11. Vishwa Fernando
Vishwa Fernando will edge out Kasun Rajitha as the second seam bowling option due to his performances against South Africa and Australia. In addition, left-arm medium pacer will add more variety to the Sri Lankan bowling line up particularly in P. Sara Oval.
Reserves
12. Dinesh Chandimal
Former captain Chandimal is unlucky to miss out, considering his impressive record in tests.
Chandi led the Sri Lankan team during a difficult time and did a fantastic job as the captain and a batsman during the period. However, string of injuries and loss form since the England tournament has resulted in him losing his captaincy and the place in the team. Given, the recent performances it would be bit difficult to find a place for him in this team immediately unless Kusal Perera is promoted as an opener.
13. Malinda Pushpakumara
Another player who has an exceptional domestic record, however, never got an opportunity in the national team due presence of Rangana Herath. Although, Pushpakumara has failed to impress in the limited opportunities he received, he continues to be a dominant force in first class cricket and managed to take all ten wickets in a first-class innings against Saracens Sports Club in January 2019.
Ideally, he should be coming in to the side if we are playing three spinners in Galle.
14. Kasun Rajitha
Sri Lankan attack needs a bowler with additional pace and bounce, which makes both Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara ideal options. However, given his consistence performances in South Africa Kasun Rajitha was picked ahead of Lahiru Kumara.
15. Akila Dananjaya
Last position in the squad should ideally go to an all-rounder or an additional spinner. Therefore, the best options narrows down to Akila Dananjaya, Dasun Shanaka, Lakshan Sandakan and Kamindu Mendis. Even though, Kamidu Mendis presents an excellent case with his all-round capabilities, I would go for the experience of Akila Dananjaya who has an impressive test record so far.
This is my Sri Lankan squad for the New Zealand series. What are your preferences and how do you think Asantha De Mel and his team will select the team?
I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment!
