Sri Lanka Call Up Uncapped Bowler For Second New Zealand Test

Who is Nishan Peiris?

Nishan Peiris, a 27-year-old offspinner, is no stranger to Sri Lanka’s cricket scene. Despite being called up to the national squad twice before, in 2018 and earlier this year in March, Peiris is yet to make his debut in Test cricket. His consistent performances in domestic cricket, however, have kept him in the selectors’ radar.

With 172 first-class wickets across 41 matches at an average of 24.37, Peiris has been a reliable bowler in the domestic circuit. His recent stint with Sri Lanka A in South Africa saw him picking up three wickets in the first unofficial Test, a sign of his growing potential.

Vishwa Fernando’s injury

The decision to bring in Peiris stems from an unfortunate situation for Vishwa Fernando. The left-arm seamer developed tightness in his right hamstring during practice, ruling him out of the second Test. While Fernando didn’t play in the first Test, his absence further reduces Sri Lanka’s already limited seam-bowling options. The team management decided to replace him with Peiris, a spin-bowling option, highlighting the importance of spin in Sri Lanka’s strategy against New Zealand.

Role of spin against New Zealand

Spin has always been a crucial weapon in Sri Lankan cricket, particularly on their home pitches that tend to offer turn and bounce. In the first Test, Ramesh Mendis, another offspinner, took six wickets in total, including a key dismissal of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell. Despite these contributions, Mendis’s performance was inconsistent, and his control over his deliveries was often questioned by both fans and the team captain, Dhananjaya de Silva.

Peiris’s off-spin is known for its accuracy and ability to generate subtle turn. Unlike many spinners who rely heavily on flight, Peiris focuses on maintaining tight lines, which forces batsmen to play cautiously. The second Test will likely be played on a surface that assists spin bowlers. Sri Lanka’s pitches tend to become more spin-friendly as the match progresses, and this could be a major factor in team selection.