Sri Lanka will head into Wednesday’s second Test against Bangladesh without Milan Rathnayake after the seamer pulled up with a side strain in Galle. The selectors have responded by adding left-armer Vishwa Fernando, while 22-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Dunith Wellalage also returns to the group.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the change on Monday. “Milan Rathnayake will be unavailable for the remainder of the series owing to a grade-one strain,” read the short medical update. Rathnayake, playing only his fifth Test, had impressed with four wickets, tight lines and a handy 39 in a seventh-wicket stand worth 84 with Kamindu Mendis.
Head coach Chris Silverwood offered a pragmatic view. “It’s frustrating for Milan, but these things happen. Vishwa gives us a like-for-like seam option and has plenty of experience in local conditions,” he said.
With veteran Angelo Mathews calling time on his Test career last week – “I have cherished every moment representing my country,” Mathews noted – the selectors had a second gap to fill. Wellalage, who bowls left-arm orthodox spin and bats in the middle order, is the immediate beneficiary. His inclusion hints at a desire to lengthen the lower order, yet the SSC surface in Colombo generally offers less help for spin than Galle, so an additional seamer remains likely.
If Sri Lanka opt to keep three quicks, the choice boils down to Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha or uncapped left-armer Isitha Wijesundara. Tharindu Rathnayake’s off-spin could make way should an extra pacer be preferred.
Finding Mathews’ runs is the other concern. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake have both piled up domestic hundreds this season, while Oshada Fernando has quietly pushed his case with Sri Lanka A. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva sounded relaxed. “We’ve got options – the job now is picking the right blend for these conditions,” he told local media.
After this match Sri Lanka’s Test calendar falls silent until the new year, so fringe players know opportunities are scarce. “You don’t want to spend six months thinking, ‘If only’,” batting coach Thilan Samaraweera observed. “Anyone who gets a nod this week has to make it count.”
Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara.
The match at the SSC starts 25 June, with the hosts leading the two-Test series 1–0.
