SL call up untested Fernando for Tests

Sri Lanka have included uncapped quick bowler Dinusha Fernando in a 15-man squad for the first Test against England next week.

Sri Lanka have included uncapped quick bowler Dinusha Fernando in a 15-man squad for the first Test against England next week.

HT Image

Fernando, 24, will compete with his namesake Dilhara for the new ball alongside Chaminda Vaas. He made his one-day debut against England earlier this month, taking two for 13 in a 10-wicket win at Dambulla.

Dilhara Fernando last played for Sri Lanka seven months ago before suffering a stress fracture of the spine.

Off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena has been recalled but leg spinner Upul Chandana, who has not played a Test since July 2002, is expected to play ahead of him as the side's second spinner in a four-man bowling attack.

Chandana gets his chance after leg spinner Kaushal Loukuarachchi was banned for disciplinary reasons following a car crash in August.

Middle-order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, all rounder Thilan Samaraweera and left-hander Michael Vandort are competing for the number six batting position.

The three-Test series starts at Galle on December 2.

England warm up with a three-day match against a Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI on Wednesday. The touring side hope to make it 12-a-side to give some match time to players like Nasser Hussain who did not play in the one-dayers.

Sri Lanka squad:

Hashan Tillakaratne (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dinusha Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Michael Vandort.