Sri Lanka has unveiled its 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, set to begin on November 27. With both teams vying for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final next year, the high-stakes series promises intense competition between the third and fifth-ranked sides in the WTC standings.
The squad, led by all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, includes most of the players who secured a 2-0 series victory against New Zealand at home in September. However, two players are making notable comebacks to the Test setup.
Spinner Lasith Embuldeniya returns to the red-ball format after a two-year hiatus. The 28-year-old last featured in a Test match in June 2022 against Australia. With 17 Tests under his belt, Embuldeniya has taken 71 wickets at an average of 36.77 and is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s spin department.
Pacer Kasun Rajitha also makes a comeback, having missed the recent series against England and New Zealand. The 31-year-old has been a reliable performer, claiming 55 wickets from 18 Test appearances at an average of 29.58. His inclusion strengthens Sri Lanka’s pace attack, which will be crucial in South African conditions.
Sri Lanka’s recent form has been impressive, with a historic Test win in England followed by a clean sweep against New Zealand. These results have placed them third in the WTC rankings, just behind Australia and India, keeping their hopes alive for the final at Lord’s.
South Africa, currently fifth in the standings, will look to capitalize on their home advantage in the series against Sri Lanka and later against Pakistan. The Proteas’ remaining matches in the 2023/25 WTC cycle provide a golden opportunity to climb the rankings.
Sri Lanka Squad
Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha
Series Schedule
• First Test: Durban, November 27 – December 1
• Second Test: Port Elizabeth, December 5 – 9
The series is set to be a thrilling contest, with both teams aiming to secure valuable points and strengthen their case for a spot in the WTC Final.
