Sri Lanka announce Test squad for South Africa series: Uncapped Wikum Sanjaya gets a call, Mathews to lead

The selectors of the Sri Lanka national cricket team announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa on Thursday. Overall, they seem to have picked a well-balanced squad to challenge the Proteas.

Wikum Sanjaya, who is yet to play for the island nation, has also been picked for the tour, which makes him the new face in the Sri Lanka team. The bowler was picked for the series after some impressive performance in domestic cricket.

With the pitches in South Africa said to assist fast bowlers, such inclusion does not come as a surprise. Besides the uncapped player, they have good bowlers, including Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal Nuwan Pradeep, and Lahiru Kumara. Skipper Angelo Matthews, who is a quality all-rounder, will also play an important role with his medium pace bowling.

They might not be playing with more than one spinner in the series. Ragana Herath will be given the job in the spin department.

Sri Lanka's batting line-up looks impressive. With players like Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Mathews, they have batsmen who have a good track record with the willow.

Sri Lanka will play three Test matches, with the first Test match starting on December 26 at St. George's Oval.

Sri Lankan squad for the tour of South Africa

Angelo Mathews (Captain), Dinesh Chandimal (Vice-Captain), Dimuth Karunarathne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya De Silva, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Wikum Sanjaya.