However, Theekshana and Wellalage have yet to participate in a Test match, but they both played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s series win over Australia last month.
Mahesh Theekshana and Dinuth Wellalage, both uncapped spinners, were added to Sri Lanka’s Covid-hit team on Tuesday. Praveen Jayawickrama tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, following the withdrawal of former captain Angelo Mathews on the third day of the first Test against Covid with the illness. Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that both players are being held in isolation and that the rest of the squad has tested negative.
As a result of last week’s 10-wicket loss to Australia in Galle, the hosts are down 1-0 in the two-match series.
Last month, Sri Lanka’s 3-2 one-day international series win over Australia was made possible by Theekshana and Wellalage, both of whom are yet to play a Test match for their country.
Ahead of Australia’s Pat Cummins by one wicket, left-arm spinner Wellalage took the most wickets in the series with nine.
All-rounder Lakshitha Manasinghe has also been included in the squad, although Lasith Embuldeniya has been omitted after failing to take a wicket in the first Test at the Galle venue.
