Dilshan Out Of Opening Test, Karunaratne Called Up

Dilshan Out Of Opening Test, Karunaratne Called Up

Dimuth Karunaratne has been called up to replace Tillakaratne Dilshan in Sri Lanka's Test squad

©REUTERS / Action Images

Experienced all-rounder and former captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's opening Test against New Zealand with a back injury.

He missed the final two One-Day Internationals with the same problem which has not cleared up sufficiently for him to play.

Uncapped opener Dimuth Karunaratne has been drafted into the squad as Dilshan's replacement, and will battle with Tharanga Paranavitana and Dinesh Chandimal for a place in the starting line-up.

A veteran of 81 Tests, Dilshan's experience will be missed, not just for his batting, having scored 5,028 runs but his useful off-spin and outstanding skills as a close fielder.

The opening match gets underway in Galle on 17th November with Sri Lanka the overwhelming 13/10 favourites to win the game according to bet365, who make the draw a 5/6 chance and New Zealand the 10/1 outsiders.

Although yet to feature in a Test match, Karunaratne has played two ODIs, one apiece against England and Scotland in 2011. He scored four on debut against England before hitting 60 against Scotland.

In first-class cricket, he has scored 3,022 runs in 47 matches at an average of 45.10 with eight centuries and 15 half-centuries.

He has played the majority of his career with Sinhalese Sports Club and he has played eight first-class matches for Sri Lanka 'A'.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews (vice-captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene, Tharindu Kaushal, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welagedara, Shaminda Eranga, Dammika Prasad

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