Sri Lanka name uncapped Vikum Sanjaya Bandara in Test squad to face South Africa
Thursday 8 December 2016 11:16, UK
Vikum Sanjaya Bandara is the surprise inclusion in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for their Test series against South Africa.
The uncapped 24-year-old has shown some promise in domestic cricket but this is a first international call-up of any kind for the medium pace bowler.
Captain Angelo Mathews and deputy Dinesh Chandimal return after missing the recent trip to Zimbabwe because of injury.
Dushmantha Chameera is also back in the squad but there is no place for all-rounder Asela Gunaratne, who impressed against Zimbabwe, or wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella.
Sri Lanka will play a three-day warm-up game against the South African Invitational XI, starting on December 18, with the first Test in Port Elizabeth starting on Boxing Day.
They will play two further Test matches in Cape Town and Johannesburg before three Twenty20 internationals and five one-day matches.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya Bandara, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera.
