Sri Lanka on Wednesday left out seasoned batsman Thilan Samaraweera and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis for next month’s Test series against Pakistan. Samaraweera, who turns 35 on Thursday, has been one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable batsmen in recent years with 4,683 runs, including 12 centuries, in 68 Tests at an average of 52.61. Mendis, 26, has claimed 62 wickets in 16 Tests with an unique bowling action where he appears to flick the ball from his fingers, making it turn sharply.
Both players were part of the enlarged squad for the recent Test series against Australia, and while Mendis was ignored for all three matches, Samaraweera was dropped for the final game. The selectors kept faith in 13 members of the squad that lost 1-0 to Australia on Tuesday and added batsman Dinesh Chandimal, seamer Nuwan Pradeep and reserve wicket-keeper Kaushal Silva for the tour. The Pakistan series will be played in the United Arab Emirates with the first Test in Abu Dhabi from October 18 to 22, the second in Dubai from Oct 26 to 30 and the third in Sharjah from November 3 to 7. The Sri Lankam squad for the subsequent five one-day matches and a Twenty20 international will be named later.
Sri Lanka’s Test squad
Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva.