COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — After a hiatus of over two years, Lasith Embuldeniya is set to make his return to Test cricket as he has been included in Sri Lanka’s roster for two Test matches against South Africa, commencing this month.

The 17-member team, announced on Tuesday, is captained by Dhananjaya de Silva and comprises nine batsmen, three specialist spinners, and five fast bowlers.

Embuldeniya, who last represented Sri Lanka in Test matches in June 2022 during a game against Australia, will serve as the team’s second left-arm spinner, joining Prabath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya has been in fine form, claiming 18 wickets in Sri Lanka’s recent 2-0 series triumph over New Zealand this past September.

Additionally, opening batsman Oshada Fernando makes a comeback after nearly a year away from the squad, while off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has not been selected for this tour.

The first Test is scheduled to take place in Durban on November 27, followed by the second Test in Port Elizabeth starting December 5.

The complete Sri Lankan squad includes: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Prabath Jayasuriya, Nishan Peiris, Lasith Embuldeniya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha.