Bangladesh chose to bat first, while Udara and Tharindu are making their debut for Sri Lanka
Bangladesh chose to bat first, while Udara and Tharindu are making their debut for Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan vs Bangladesh: Sri Lanka Cricket made a presentation to Mathews before the start of a farewell appearance of Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews, who is retiring after 118 Tests. Sri Lanka handed debut Test caps to top-order batsman Lahiru Udara and ambidextrous bowler Tharindu Ratnayake.
Bangladesh has won the toss and decided to bat first in Galle against Sri Lanka, on a surface that looks good for batting. This two-Test series is the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle.
Najmul Hossain Shanto talked about wanting to take advantage of the batting conditions and make use of spinners in the final innings. Unfortunately, he won't have Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their top run-scorer from the last WTC cycle, because he is sick with a fever.
Dhananjaya de Silva mentioned he would also have batted first and paid respect to "one of the greatest" Angelo Mathews, who is playing his last Test.
Regarding team news, both teams have chosen two fast bowlers and two spinners. Sri Lanka is giving debuts to two players: top-order batter Lahiru Udara and versatile spinner Tharindu Rathnayake.
As for the weather, it's not looking good. It rained overnight, and even though it didn't delay the start of the game, there may be interruptions throughout the day and the Test.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Kusal Mendis (wk), Milan Rathnayake, Tharindu Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando
Bangladesh Playing XI: Shadman Islam, Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud