Fast-bowler Milan Rathnayake will make his Test debut for Sri Lanka tomorrow (August 21), in their first Test match of the three-match series against England at Old Trafford.
It was confirmed in the pre-match press conferences that Milan Rathnayake would debut in the opening match of the series. The 28-year-old was previously selected in Sri Lanka's squad for their one-off Test against Afghanistan, but had not made the starting XI until now. He has played 39 first-class games in his career and taken 79 wickets, and also has a highest score of 59. He will form part of what is likely to be a pace-heavy attack.
Playing in Sri Lanka's warm-up match against England Lions last week, Rathnayake took 1-65 in the first innings and 1-24 in the second as the tourists slumped to a seven-wicket defeat.
Born in Kurunegala, Rathnayake played domestic cricket in Sri Lanka before moving to Australia to pursue his career. He returned to Sri Lanka during the COVID pandemic and put in some impressive performances. In the 2023 domestic season, he averaged 29 with the balls with an innings best of 4-50.
Prior to that season, he also featured in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their tour of New Zealand following an impressive performance against against England Lions, where he took four wickets in the only unofficial Test he played in.
He will likely lineup in the bowling attack alongside Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, and Lahiru Kumara at Old Trafford.
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