Sri Lanka have made two changes to their XI for the second Test match of their series against England at Lord's, leaving out Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando.
In a boost for the tourists, Dinesh Chandimal has been confirmed fit for the game after he retired hurt on 10 in Sri Lanka's second innings at Old Trafford, having been hit on the hand by a 90mph Mark Wood scorcher. Chandimal returned to bat later in the innings, scoring 79 off 119 balls. It is expected that Nishan Madushka will keep, with Chandimal playing as a specialist bat.
The only change to the batting lineup is the inclusion of Pathum Nissanka over Kusal Mendis. Mendis scored 24 and 0 in the first Test, out to Wood and Gus Atkinson respectively. Nissanka last played a Test match in 2022 against Australia, and has an average of 38.35 in the format.
Sri Lanka's only other change was made to their bowling attack, with Vishwa Fernando missing out in favour of Lahiru Kumara. Fernando took two wickets in England's first innings in Manchester but was expensive in their second, conceding 46 runs from his eight overs. Fernando's absence means that Sri Lanka will be without a left-arm option in their pace attack.
England have made just one change for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, starting on Thursday.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 27, 2024
Olly Stone will play his first Test since June 2021. pic.twitter.com/Bnw9edOe0C
After losing the first Test by five wickets, Sri Lanka need a win at Lord's to stay in the series. England confirmed their XI for the match yesterday (August 28), with Olly Stone coming in for an injured Wood as their only change.
Sri Lanka XI for second Test vs England: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.
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