Kusal Mendis left out for second Test

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lankan team management has decided to release five players including the regular captain Dimuth Karunratne and under-performing batsman Kusal Mendis from the present squad of 22 players.

Following a discussion this morning, the team management decided to also release Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep. 

Sri Lanka is scheduled to play the second Test against England at the same venue starting Friday. 

It was left to Head Coach Mickey Arthur to convey the news to the outgoing players, it is learnt.

The meeting was also attended by stand-in captain Dinesh Chandimal and Karunaratne.

The three national selectors Ashantha de Mel, Pramodya Wickramsinghe and Chaminda Mendis also discussed the composition of the team for the West Indies tour.  The other four selectors on the panel, who did not attend the meeting, are for junior and women's cricket. 

The final selection for the Windies tour is likely to be made two weeks prior to the team departure. 

However, the selectors are believed to have shortlisted 34 players for training and visa purpose.

The team will have a new manager on the Windies tour, it has been reliably learnt. 

De Mel has decided to skip this tour for personal reasons but will be available for the team selection from Sri Lanka.