Spinner returns after a year as Sri Lanka name XI for New Zealand Test

After their historic triumph in England in the Oval Test, Sri Lanka are back in the ICC World Test Championship action with a home series against New Zealand.

The hosts have named their playing XI for the first Test with spinner Ramesh Mendis making a comeback after a year.

Off-spinner Mendis last played a Test in July 2023 but has since not played with Sri Lanka playing most of their Tests away from home in this period.

The Lankans fielded an all-pace attack in the final Test against England and with a switch in conditions, they have opted for two lead spinners. Prabath Jayasuriya, who played two Tests in the England tour, returns to the playing XI after missing the final match.

Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara are the two pacers in the bowling attack. The first Test begins on Wednesday in Galle.

Sri Lanka, who made a small, yet significant leap in the WTC points table after their victory in the final Test in England, will aim to move further up after this home series.

A 2-0 series win could see Sri Lanka go up to even third position in the WTC table, depending on other results.

Sri Lanka XI for first Test in Galle: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.