Sri Lanka draft Nishan Peiris for 2nd Test against NZ
What's the story
Sri Lanka have included uncapped off-spinner, Nishan Peiris, in their squad for the 2nd and final Test against New Zealand. This decision comes after fast bowler Vishwa Fernando sustained a hamstring injury during practice. The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board confirmed this news on Tuesday, stating that Fernando will now undergo rehabilitation at their high-performance center.
Squad changes
Peiris's potential debut
Fernando did not participate in the 1st Test against New Zealand, which the Lankans won by 63 runs. His absence from the upcoming second Test is unlikely to significantly impact the team's composition. However, this development opens up an opportunity for 27-year-old Peiris, who has been selected for the Test squad twice before but is yet to make his debut.
Team dynamics
Peiris has over 170 FC wickets
Peiris's potential inclusion in the Playing XI comes amid criticism of Ramesh Mendis's performance by team captain Dhananjaya de Silva. Despite claiming six wickets in the first Test, Mendis has been criticized for his lack of control and high economy rate. On the other hand, Peiris has an impressive record with 172 wickets in First-Class cricket from 41 matches at an average of 24.37.