Sri Lanka name 15-man Test squad

Sri Lanka have named a 15-man squad for their two-Test series with England, beginning Thursday June 12 at Lord’s.

The second Test of the series takes place from Friday June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.

Left-arm paceman Chanaka Welagedara, who last represented Sri Lanka in Test cricket in 2012 in Australia, returns to the squad in place of the injured Suranga Lakmal.

Sachithra Senanayake, whose action was yesterday reported, was not included in the squad, despite debuting in Sri Lanka's most recent Test series, against Pakistan in December and January.

Having failed to win in six attempts at the ‘home of cricket’, Angelo Mathews’ side will be looking to make history, while they play at Headingley for the first time in their 32 years of Test cricket.

In all, Sri Lanka have managed just two Test wins from 13 matches in England.

The first of those, in 1998 at The Oval, is remembered for a remarkable display by Test wicket record holder Muthiah Muralidaran, who claimed 16 scalps for the match, including 9-65 in the second innings.

Unsurprisingly, the off-spinning legend was also man of the match in Sri Lanka’s only other success in England, at Trent Bridge in 2006, taking 11 wickets, including 8-70 in the second innings.

Last time England hosted Sri Lanka, the hosts emerged with a one-nil series victory over three Tests.

The two-Test series is an opportunity for Sri Lanka veteran Kumar Sangakkara to improve upon one of the few blemishes on a remarkable record.

In nine Tests in England, the 36-year-old averages just 30.58 – close to half his career mark of 58.07 – with one century and two fifties rounding out his poorest return in any country.

Squad: Angelo Mathews (Captain ), Lahiru Thirimanne (Vice Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Chanaka Welagedara, Dhammika Prasad.