Sri Lanka add uncapped spinner ahead of second New Zealand Test

Nishan Peiris has been included in Sri Lanka's squad for the second Test with New Zealand after the withdrawal of Vishwa Fernando due to injury.

Fernando had developed a tightness in his right hamstring while practicing. The fast bowler, who last featured during Sri Lanka’s stellar win at the Oval, has been sent to the High Performance Center rehabilitation.

Vishwa had picked up 5/86 across the two innings in his last Test, at The Oval against England.

His replacement is off-spinner Nishan Peiris. The 27-year-old was in the Sri Lanka squad for their tour of Bangladesh but didn’t play a Test. Peiris has played 41 first-class fixtures and has 172 wickets at an average of 24.37.

Sri Lanka won an engaging first Test in Galle by 63 runs, with left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya playing a starring role with his 9/204 in the game.

The victory helped Sri Lanka leapfrog New Zealand in the World Test Championship standings. The Island nation are at the third place behind India and Australia with a point percentage of 50, whereas the Black Caps slip one spot to end at the fourth place with a tally of 42.86%.