Uncapped player Dushan Hemantha and wicket keeper Sadeera Samarawickrama have been included in the Sri Lanka Test squad for the First Test against Ireland which will commence on April 16 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The Daily News learns that National Selection Committee has picked a 24-member squad for the two-match Test series and sent it to the Sports Ministry which has so far not approved the squad.

An official of Sri Lanka Cricket said they are awaiting the greenlight from the Ministry for the squad. Already the players who are involved with the red ball format resumed their training and the Test players who were in New Zealand tour will join the squad in two days time.

Niroshan Dickwella who couldn’t impress during the New Zealand first Test and opener Oshada Fernando were dropped from the first Test 15-member squad while the two pacemen Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara are rested for the first test.

Sadeera Samarawickrama   and   Dushan Hemantha

Dimuth Karunaratne the experienced opener once again will lead the Test side while two experienced players Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and all rounder Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis are retained in the squad while Nishan Madushanka will most probably open the batting having batted at number seven in New Zealand Test. Sadeera Samarawickrama who couldn’t play a single game in New Zealand will get a chance as the wicket keeper and a middle-order batsman for this first Test. In fact 27 year old Samarawickrama who has played only four Tests in his career last played in a Test in 2017 December in New Delhi against India. However, opener Pathum Nissanka who was out from last New Zealand Test series due to injury once again has not been considered for the test series.

A senior official of the SLC said we cannot release the 15-member team which has not been approved by the Sports Minister and we expect an early response. We don’t know what is the system. Normally when SLC sends the selected squad the Minister gives his approval but now it has to come through National Sports Council and National Selection Committee.

A cricket expert pointed out that Ministry approval system had many issues as one time former Sports Minister also influenced the selection while sometimes players or parents or their respective clubs used go to the Sports Ministry to appeal against Selections and this is very unfair. If the selection committee selects the team according to the players’ performances and their fitness level is ideal, he said.

Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis are the key leg spinner and off spinner while if they will go for a third spinner it most probably could be either Dushan Hemantha the right arm leg spinner or the left arm leg spinner Lasith Embuldeniya.

However, most probably Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake and Chamika Karunaratne will be named for the first Test squad and selectors are expected to make a few changes after the first Test.