Only three front-line spinners have been picked. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya is Sri Lanka’s lead slow bowler, but may play alongside either uncapped Nuwantha, or Ramesh Mendis. Sonal Dinusha – the left-arm spinning allrounder – is also in Sri Lanka’s 16.
On the batting front, Sri Lanka’s selections are more predictable. Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva are likely to bat at Nos 3, 4 and 5. Allrounders Dinusha, Ramesh Mendis, and Rathnayaka will be in the running to be selected lower down, with Dickwella likely to bat at No. 6 or 7.
The first Test begins in Galle on Saturday, before the series moves to the SSC in Colombo on August 23 for its conclusion.
Dhananjaya De Silva (capt), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
