Sri Lanka bring in Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Lakshita Manasnghe for 2nd Test match vs Australia

Lasith Embuldeniya failed to take any wickets against Australia in the first Test match of the series.

Sri Lanka spinner Lasith Embuldeniya has been dropped for the second Test match against Australia after his wicketless outing in the first Test match of the series. Embuldeniya failed to make inroads into the tall Australian batting line-up despite conditions helping the slow bowlers at Galle International Stadium in Colombo.

Speaking about the spinner, head coach Chris Silverwood said that the spinner has the backing of the dressing room but they have been forced to drop him due to his lack of rhythm in the first Test match.

"He's finding it tough at the moment," head coach Chris Silverwood said after the first Test in Galle. "He's getting a lot of support in the dressing room because he's a great lad. We've got to work on him holding a consistent length.

"It's not just him not holding a consistent length. As a group we need to do that better. You look at the various pace the bowlers bowl at as well. There's a few factors there, one of which is confidence. We've got to give him support and get him back to where we know he can be."

The Islanders have called up three spinners in his place, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Lakshita Manasinghe.

With one spot up for grabs, Theekshana would be primed to play after his good outings in the white ball series, but young Wellalage will give him close competition after his mighty impressive performance against Aaron Finch’s Australia in the white-ball format.

Incidentally another spinner in the SL line-up, Praveen Jayawickrama was ruled out of the Test match after testing Covid-positive three days before the Test match.