Sri Lanka recall Kaushal Silva, Malinda Pushpakumara for England Tests

Opening batsman Kaushal Silva and left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara have been recalled into Sri Lanka's squad for the home Test series against England.

Angelo Mathews, who had been removed from limited-overs captaincy and subsequently dropped for the England ODIs due to fitness concerns, though, was named in the Test squad. Pushpakumara, who made his Test debut against India last year, is the fifth spinner in the group alongside left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan and offspinners Dilruwan Perera and Akila Dananjaya.

That one third of the squad comprised of specialist spinners should serve as a early indication as to what England batsmen can expect in the Test series: dry tracks, with a phalanx of slow bowlers operating.

On the seam front, Sri Lanka picked a predictable trio - the experienced Suranga Lakmal, the quick Lahiru Kumara, and the exciting Kasun Rajitha. Though if the hosts opt for their customary three-spinners-to-every-seamer, it is possible that not all three will make it into the XI through the course of the series. Kumara, in any case, is still recovering from an injury.

The top order, too, held few surprises, save for the return of Kaushal. He had last played a Test in October last year, and has since been consistent at the lower levels, recently hitting 76 against the visiting South Africans in a two-day practice match. He earned a place because Danushka Gunathilaka - who opened alongside Dimuth Karunaratne in the South Africa Test series - was recovering from the back injury he had sustained ahead of the Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka will play three Tests against England, the first of which starts on November 6, in Galle.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Kumara (subject to fitness)