Oshada Fernando returns to Sri Lanka's Test squad vs New Zealand

Top-request hitter Oshada Fernando has gotten back to Sri Lanka's Test overlay following a 18-month nonappearance, yet this implies there is no space for opening player Nishan Madushka in Sri Lanka's 16-man crew during the current month's two-Test series against New Zealand at home. Of those that visited Britain, quick bowling allrounder Nisala Tharaka and seamer Kasun Rajitha are the other two to be forgotten about. Oshada's return follows a noteworthy appearance with the A group, who are right now visiting South Africa. The 32-year-old hitter, who has played 21 Tests, struck 122 and 80 en route to a Player-of-the-Match appearing, as Sri Lanka A won the first of two informal Tests in Kimberley. The exhibitions were enough for the selectors to reduce his time in South Africa and shoehorn him into a Test crew interestingly since Walk 2023. Madushka was obviously the oddball, following a troublesome visit through Britain where he collected scores of 4, 0, 7 and 13 over the initial two Tests prior to being dropped for the third. His substitution at the highest point of the request, Pathum Nissanka, lit up a game dominating hundred years in the last Test, which currently implies there is no regular spot in the playing XI for the 25-year-old wicketkeeper. Neither Tharaka nor Rajitha played a game in Britain, and with the seamers that did - Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Milan Rathnayake - dazzling, Sri Lanka's crease contingent was at that point overloaded considering the twist accommodating circumstances expected in Galle. Regardless of his review, however, Oshada could find it challenging to get a spot in what is a genuinely settled batting request. Dimuth Karunaratne, Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis are probably going to hold their places in the XI, while Ramesh Mendis could space in at No. 8 to reinforce both the batting and twist bowling positions. There is additionally Sadeera Samarawickrama standing ready. With the leftover three spaces going to lead spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and two others - probable two seamers, or conceivably even an additional spinner in Jeffrey Vandersay - it's difficult to see where Oshada fits in except if one of the senior men in Mathews or Karunaratne clears a path. The two Tests will happen in Galle with the main Test starting on September 18.