Pathum Nissanka set to make Test debut

Top order batsman Pathum Nissanka is set to make his Test debut today in the first Test against West Indies in Antigua. The 22-year-old who played all six white ball games in the ongoing tour of Caribbean has been highly rated by Head Coach Mickey Arthur. Nissanka has been a prolific run scorer in domestic cricket in the last two seasons and his snubbing for home Test series against England was criticized. However, he earned a maiden call up with the senior side in the Caribbean and impressed with some crucial knocks although he is yet to make a half-century.

Middle order batsman Dhananjaya de Silva is expected to return to the side after being injured during the tour of South Africa in December. He missed the home Tests against England and the ODIs against West Indies.

Dhananjaya is expected to bat at number six and more importantly his off-spin will come in handy.

The return of Dhananjaya and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who also missed both Tests against England due to injury, make Sri Lanka the favourites in the two match series.

Sources told Sunday Island that Niroshan Dickwella will keep wickets although there was a push to get Dinesh Chandimal keep wickets.

Both Tests will be played in Antigua. The last time Sri Lanka toured the Caribbean in 2018 the three match series was drawn 1-1.

Sri Lanka will host Bangladesh for two Test matches next month with Pallekele International Stadium staging both games, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Friday.

The first Test will take place from the 21st to 25th April while the second Test will begin on the 29th April.

SLC did not reveal whether the stands will be open for public.

Middle order batsman Kusal Mendis who was left out of the West Indies series and fast bowler Lahiru Kumara who was forced to miss the trip to Caribbean after testing positive for COVID 19 are expected to return to the side.