Age: 21
714 runs at 34 in 11 Tests
Small, unassuming and quiet, but possessed of a monster talent, Mendis, a product of Sri Lanka's school cricket system, may be the premier batsman in his age group. Having earned a scholarship to Moratuwa's Prince of Wales College early in life, Mendis went on to captain the school, and quickly rose to acclaim as one of the nation's most prolific teenaged players. He won the Schoolboy Cricketer of the
Year award in 2013, and captained Sri Lanka's Under-19 side at the Youth World Cup the following year. Mendis had shown glimmers of ability on away tours to New Zealand and England, but it is against Australia at home, that he played an innings that commanded the world's attention. With his side facing an 86-run first-innings deficit, he struck a poised and positive 176 in a match where no other batsman mustered more than 55. That innings turned Sri Lanka's series fortunes. Mendis top-scored in the next Test, in Galle, as well.
Dushmantha Chameera talks about his bowling heroes and his goals in the sport.
Age: 24
21 wickets at 27.28 in five Tests
It wasn't until he was in his early twenties that Dushmantha Chameera developed his searing pace, but when he did, coaches and national selectors took immediate notice. Slim and tall, Chameera's primary weapon is the bouncer, with which he claimed figures of 5 for 47 and 4 for 68 in a Test in Hamilton last year. He has had reverse swing at home, but it the pace he generates, rather than the lateral movement he gleans, that makes him a threat.
Chameera returns to the Test squad now following a seven-month layoff due to a stress fracture in his back. The most promising Sri Lanka quick in recent years, it is hoped he can avoid the injuries that have consumed other fast bowlers' careers.
Dhananjaya de Silva talks about his favourite cricketer, his first Test boundary, and his cricketing ambitions.
Age: 25
550 runs at 61.11 in five Tests
De Silva is a languid presence at the batting crease, but so far in his career, has been a high-impact player, hitting a six to collect his first Test runs, and top-scoring in his maiden series, against Australia. He is an opener by trade, but has been charged with batting in the lower middle order for Sri Lanka. His best innings came at the SSC, where he strode to the crease with the score at 26 for 5, and went on to hit a fuss-free 129 against Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. De Silva comes into the South Africa series with the best run of form from among his teammates: having made 129, 65*, 64 and 127 in his last three Tests.
He is also an improving offspin bowler, and a good fielder, often deployed at backward point.
Lahiru Kumara talks about his first Test wicket, his cricketing hero, and his ambitions
Age: 19
4 wickets at 59.25 in two Tests
The youngest player in the squad, Kumara played in the Youth World Cup earlier this year, but it was in the Under-19 team's tour of England that he really impressed. In a youth Test in Northampton, Kumara claimed 7 for 82 and 4 for 52 with his bustling right-arm pace aided by outswing. That performance, and another 4 for 56 in a Chelmsford Youth ODI, saw him promoted to the national team.
He made his Test debut in Harare.