Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka picked uncapped off spinner Tharindu Kaushal and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera on Tuesday for two upcoming test matches against New Zealand.
A 16-man squad includes six specialist batsmen, captain Angelo Mathews playing all-rounder, five seam bowlers and three spinners.
Prasanna Jayawardena is the specialist wicketkeeper.
If Sri Lanka plays two spin bowlers, Kaushal could partner off spinner Dilruwan Perera for the first test starting Dec. 26 because strike bowler and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has withdrawn citing personal reasons. The second test starts on Jan. 3.
The 21-year-old Kaushal has taken 133 wickets in 23 first-class matches at an average of nearly 22 and a wicket every 33 deliveries.
Chameera has taken 42 wickets in 18 first-class matches.
Squad:
Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Prasanna Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath.
