Five uncapped players have been chosen in Sri Lanka's squad for their Test series against South Africa and England next month, including a bowling prospect Dilshan Madushanka who has only made three first-class appearances in his young career.
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Madushanka is a 20-year-old left-arm seamer while 21-year-old batsman Santhush Gunathilake has featured in just six more as the youngsters take their place in a 22-strong squad.
They will be in contention to play in the two-Test series in South Africa that begins on Boxing Day at Centurion before they return to Sri Lanka to face England in two Tests in Galle.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, wicketkeeper-batsman Minod Bhanuka and seamer Asitha Fernando are the others who have not yet been capped at Test level.
There is no place for left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan in the group, while former captain Angelo Mathews will miss the trip to South Africa because of a hamstring injury but is hopeful of being fit to face England.
The Sri Lanka-England series was supposed to take place in March this year but was abandoned midway through the tourists' warm-up game in Colombo amid the escalating situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Sri Lanka squad to face South Africa and England: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Santhush Gunathilake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
Australian Associated Press
