Sri Lanka has named uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris as a replacement for the injured Vishwa Fernando in their squad for the second Test against New Zealand. The match is set to begin on Thursday, September 26, at Galle International Stadium.
Vishwa Fernando, 33, reported tightness in his right hamstring during practice and has been sent to the High Performance Center for rehabilitation. Peiris, who has been previously called up to the national team, will look to make his Test debut in this crucial encounter.
Nishan Peiris has an impressive domestic record, having played 41 first-class matches and taken 172 wickets, including 12 five-wicket hauls. He has also featured in 61 List A games, claiming 86 wickets.
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Recap of the First Test
Sri Lanka secured a 63-run victory in the first Test against New Zealand. The hosts batted first, with Kamindu Mendis shining with a century (114 runs). Sri Lanka posted 305 runs in their first innings.
New Zealand’s top order responded well, with Tom Latham (70), Kane Williamson (55), and Daryl Mitchell (57) contributing half-centuries, but they ultimately finished at 340, giving Sri Lanka a slender lead.
In their second innings, senior players Dimuth Karunaratne (83), Dinesh Chandimal (61), and Angelo Mathews (50) helped Sri Lanka set a target of 275 runs after scoring 309. Despite Rachin Ravindra’s commendable 92 runs, New Zealand crumbled for 211 runs in their final innings, handing Sri Lanka a convincing victory. Prabath Jayasuriya was the standout bowler, taking five wickets in the match.
With Peiris’s addition to the squad, Sri Lanka aims to maintain their winning momentum in the series.
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