Sri Lanka has included Lahiru Kumara and Pathum Nissanka in their lineup for the upcoming second Test against England, which begins Thursday at Lord's. Kumara takes the place of Vishwa Fernando, while Nissanka comes in for Kusal Mendis.
In the first Test at Old Trafford, Mendis managed scores of 24 and 0, falling to Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson, respectively. Nissanka, who last participated in a Test match in 2022 against Australia and has an average of 38.35, is set to bat at number three.
Fernando, despite taking two wickets in England's first innings, struggled in the second, conceding 46 runs without a wicket across eight overs. His absence leaves Sri Lanka without a left-arm fast bowler for this match.
Dinesh Chandimal, who is expected to keep wickets for the match, is a significant boost for Sri Lanka's chances after retiring hurt on 10 in the previous Test due to a 90 mph delivery from Mark Wood before returning to score 79 runs off 119 balls. If he is unable to play, Nishan Madushka will step in as wicketkeeper.
After a five-wicket defeat in the first Test, Sri Lanka needs a victory at Lord's to remain competitive in the series. England has announced their XI for the match, with the fast bowler Olly Stone replacing the injured Mark Wood.
Sri Lanka's playing eleven for the second Test includes: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Milan Rathnayake.