Confident Sri Lanka likely to make changes for second Test

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Galle

Sri Lanka will face a wounded Ireland team in the second Test starting on Monday (April 24)  at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Both teams returned to training after a few extra rest days with hot and humid conditions around Sri Lanka at present. 

Though the same squad was announced for the second Test Sri Lanka is very likely to give the debut opportunity to Dushan Hemantha who did really well at the recently concluded National Super League (NSL) 2023. 

If Dushan is in the playing XI which could cost Asitha Fernando his place in the starting-line up.

As Galle always favoured spin Sri Lanka is likely to go with one fast bowler, Vishwa Fernando.

Galle International Cricket Stadium has always been a spinners paradise having major success in the final outcome of the game. 
Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralidaran and Rangana Herath had many successes here in the Down South venue.

The present two spinners, Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis too performed well here in the recent past which has helped the home team to grab the honors.

Prabath took 12 wickets against Aussies on his debut and later taking another 17 wickets in the 2 test match series against Pakistan. 

The spin duo of Prabath and Ramesh will await another two Test match series in July 2023 when Pakistan will play a 2 Test Match series here in Galle.

Further 4 centuries by Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Sadeera Samarawickrema put the foundation for the spin duo of Prabath and Ramesh to attack.

Ireland sadly making their Test debut in 2018 have played only 6 Test matches during this period of 5 years and their main focus being on T20 and 50 Overs encounters.

They had some good news at last when their vice-captain, Paul Stirling joined the Irish Test squad three days back and trained with the rest at the Galle Stadium which is light end of the tunnel for the visiting team.

Stirling was rested after the conclusion of the recent Bangladesh series, but has now returned to the squad and is now in line for the test match appearance. He has already played 3 test matches for the Ireland outfit.

The toss is going to play a vital part in this game as the team winning the toss is likely to bat first and put up a huge score and put pressure on the other team who will not only need to bat last but also to face the spin music at Galle which is a tough task in the history and this ground is the favorite ground for the home team with some good positive results in the past few years.