Sri Lanka selectors name new-look pace attack for South Africa

Sri Lanka's selectors named three uncapped players in a new-look 16-man squad to tour South Africa later this month to play two Test matches.

All-rounder Hasantha Fernando and fast bowlers Thilan Thushara Mirando and Tharanga Lakshitha were all included in the squad that includes six bowlers and just one solitary spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Mirando and Lakshitha, both aged 20, will join the experienced Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando, as the selectors look to the future.

Mirando, a left-arm fast bowler from Balapitiya, rated the quickest bowler in Sri Lanka today, and Lakshitha, a right-arm quickie from Matara whose played just ten first-class games, are products of the BCCSL's fast bowling unit and are both currently touring Pakistan with the Sri Lanka 'A' team.

Fast bowlers Sujeewa de Silva and Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, both of who impressed during Bangladesh's two Test tour of Sri Lanka in July when they made their international debut, have also been included.

The selector's axe thus falls on five pace bowlers from Sri Lanka's last Test tour to England, including Buddika Fernando, Ruchira Perera, Nuwan Zoysa, Ishara Amarasinghe and Eric Upashantha.

There is also a place for 21-year-old left-handed batsman Jehan Mubarak, a former Sri Lanka Under 19 middle order batsman that also impressed with the Sri Lanka A team, who fills the vacancy left by Aravinda de Silva after the veteran decided to retire from Test cricket earlier in the week.

Experienced 34-year-old left-hander Hashan Tillakaratne and 29-year-old wicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene both retain their places in the side after the England tour.

There is no place for middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, no Thilan Samaraweera, an off-spinning all-rounder that has excelled in the Test side in home conditions during the past year averaging 83 after 10 Tests.

The two Tests are scheduled to be played at Johannesburg on November 8 and at Centurion starting November 15.

The squad, picked on Tuesday and awaiting ratification by the Sports Ministry, will undergo changes for the five one-day internationals which will follow after the Tests.

Full squad:

Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russell Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Jehan Mubarak, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Sujeewa de Silva, Chamila Gamage, Thilina Thushara, Tharanga Lakshitha, Muttiah Muralitharan, Prasanna Jayawardene