Sri Lanka has announced a 16-member team for the Test series against New Zealand. This team has been selected for the 2-match Test series, which will start from September 18. The first Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be played in Galle. There is a lot of upheaval in the 16-member team. First of all, it has seen the return of batsman Oshada Fernando, who was out of the team for 18 months. Apart from that, 3 players have been dropped from the team that went on the England tour.

The three players included in the England tour team who were not selected for the home Test series against New Zealand include Nishan Madhushanka, Nisala Tharaka and Kasun Rajitha. The captaincy of the Sri Lankan team will be on the shoulders of Dhananjaya de Silva.

Oshada Fernando returned to the team after 18 months

The biggest news in the Sri Lankan team selection against New Zealand is the return of Oshada Fernando. This 32-year-old batsman has been rewarded for his performance for Sri Lanka A during the South Africa tour. Oshada played big innings of 122 and 80 runs and played an important role in Sri Lanka A winning the first unofficial match. He was also selected as the Player of the Match for his excellent batting in both the innings.

Oshada's performance in 21 Tests

Oshada Fernando, who has played 21 Tests for Sri Lanka, was away from the Test team for 18 months. He has scored 1091 runs in 21 Tests at an average of 33.06, which includes 1 century and 7 half-centuries. Oshada Fernando, who could not make much of an impact in the first opportunity, will try to make the most of the second opportunity he has got in the Test team.

Sri Lanka's 16-member squad against New Zealand

The first test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand will be played in Galle from 18 September. While the second test match will also be played in Galle from 26 September. Let's take a look at the 16-member Sri Lankan team.

Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Oshada Fernando