NEWS
Follow UsMilan Rathnayake, who impressed everyone in his debut series in England, won’t be part of Sri Lanka’s XI for the first Test against New Zealand in Galle, starting on September 18 (Wednesday). The 28-year-old not only picked up 10 wickets in three games but also scored 151 runs @ 30.20 down the order.
Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando, who has also been in good form of late, won’t be part of Sri Lanka’s XI as Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis will come into the side keeping the conditions in mind. In the fast bowling department, Lahiru Kumara’s extra pace has been preferred over Rathnayake and Fernando.
Talking about Rathnayake’s omission, Sri Lanka’s interim coach Sanath Jayasuriya said: "When you come to the matter of a third fast bowler, you are talking about someone who is one of our best. In the last series he (Rathnayake) not only bowled well, he batted very well too. But in Galle you have to bring spinners for the balance of the side,” reported ESPNcricinfo.
'We have to mention Milan specifically, because the things he did on his first tour should be appreciated. He played like a mature cricketer. Unfortunately we can't bring Milan into this XI. We can only play two quicks. Everyone knows what the Galle pitch is like. We already have filled those spots with our two best quicks: Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.
"But Milan doesn't go out of the side having done anything wrong. I've spoken to him personally and impressed on him that these are the reasons, so that he knows for sure. Other players also know that he's gone out of the side having done well."
Meanwhile, Dinesh Chandimal won’t be keeping wickets against New Zealand. The 34-year-old sustained a back injury during the final Test at The Oval, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets. He will now bat at No.3, while Kusal Mendis will take on the gloves and bat at No.7.
"Chandimal won't keep, and that's the team's decision. We had to figure out who will come out at No. 3, and it's very tough for a No. 3 batter to keep wickets. Chandimal has taken the responsibility to bat at No. 3, and he's doing that for the team and for the country. We have to look after him and give him that confidence."
Kamindu Mendis will now be moving to No.5, replacing Chandimal. "We talked a lot about how we go about this, because it's a complicated decision. We talked to Chandimal. Moving him up meant we had to bring someone else into the middle order. If we can bring a wicketkeeper to the lower middler order, that's the best for this team in terms of balance."
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