Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is likely to call up six players, contracted to the pool, to join the National squad for the upcoming home series against England which begins on January14 at the Galle Cricket Stadium. Six players, namely Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga who are in South Africa have suffered muscle injuries and only the last named has a 50-50 chance of recovering for the home series against England.
The SLC is expected to seek the services of former skipper Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Pradeep, Avishka Fernando, Ramesh Mendis, Roshen Silva and Lakshan Sandakan, who will join
the quarantine process from the 5th of this month, at the team’s official hotel in Hambantota, until they join the National squad, which returns on the 8th straight from South Africa, to join the Bio-Bubble before they get into action. The five injured players are to be released a few days after
their return, after undergoing the quarantine process, for their rehabilitation.
Angelo Mathews aggravated a hamstring injury in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) semifinal and is recovering gradually. He is said to be fit for the upcoming two-test series. He will have to prove his fitness before going into action, which is likely to be done after the National teams return.
Seam bowler Nuwan Pradeep is another who will have to undergo the same process as his senior team mate Mathews, after being sidelined for the Proteas tour due to an injury. Ragama CC and former National player Roshen Silva, who played a pivotal role as a middle order batsman before being struck by injury, will get another opportunity to fight for a place in the playing eleven, but will remain in the 22-member squad, which is likely to be retained further until the end of the England tour. Roshen Silva has represented the country in 12 test matches scoring 702 runs including one century and five half centuries with a highest individual score of 109.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Mendis, a prolific all-rounder in the domestic arena, with a superb first class track record, will be another player called into the National squad. The 25-year old Mendis has played in 42 matches scoring 2,190 runs with four tons and ten half centuries with a highest individual
score being an unbeaten 300. He is also capable of bowling off spin and has claimed 73 wickets in the same format including a five-wicket haul.
He will be an ideal replacement for the aging all rounder Dilruwn Perera. Left arm leg spinner Lakshan Sandakan also has got the call to join the squad.
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