Sri Lanka has unveiled their 16-player squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which begins on September 18. The notable inclusion in the squad is Oshada Fernando, who replaces Nishan Madushka.
Oshada Fernando makes his return to the Sri Lankan Test team after an absence of 18 months. His last appearance for the national team was in 2023 during a Test series against New Zealand. Oshada’s selection comes on the back of a strong performance with the Sri Lanka A team, which is currently touring South Africa. In the first unofficial Test of their series, Oshada delivered a standout performance, scoring 122 and 80, and was named Player of the Match for his efforts. His form in the A team has clearly impressed the selectors, leading to his recall to the senior squad.
Oshada’s return is seen as a strategic move by Sri Lanka, aiming to bolster their top-order batting. He has previously played 36 international matches across various formats for Sri Lanka, bringing valuable experience to the team.
Nishan Madushka, who has been dropped from the squad, struggled with the bat during Sri Lanka's recent away Test series against England. In those matches, Madushka posted disappointing scores of 4, 0, 7, and 13. His poor performance led to him being omitted from the third Test in England, and now, he has been replaced by Oshada Fernando for the series against New Zealand.
The decision to bring Oshada back into the fold reflects Sri Lanka’s desire to strengthen their batting lineup and address recent performance issues. The upcoming series against New Zealand will be an important test for Sri Lanka as they look to capitalize on their home advantage and make a strong statement in Test cricket.
