Welegedara returns from injury in Sri Lanka’s 15-man test squad to play New Zealand

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Left-armer Chanaka Welegedara has returned from injury to be picked in a four-man pace attack in Sri Lanka’s squad for two tests against New Zealand this month.

Welegedara suffered a hand injury during the Sri Lanka Premier League in August, and missed two tests against Pakistan.

Batsman Thilan Samaraweera, wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and offspinner Suraj Randiv were also in the squad announced on Friday.

Welegedara will be part of a pace team including Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad and Shaminda Eranga.

There are five specialist batsmen and Angelo Mathews will be the seam-bowling allrounder. Rangana Herath will be the leading spinner along with Randiv.

Uncapped offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, 19, has been included. Kaushal has no international or first-class experience.

The first test in Galle starts on Nov. 17.

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Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sanggakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Tharindu Kaushal.

06:47ET 09-11-12