Dilruwan endured a tough time during Sri Lanka's overseas tours of New Zealand and Australia last season © Getty

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera has been added to the Sri Lanka squad for the second and final Test against New Zealand, beginning on Thursday (22nd August) in Colombo. Having missed the Galle encounter due to injury, Dilruwan's inclusion should boost the spin-bowling attack that is short on experience.

With Akila Dananjaya being reported for suspect action again, there are doubts over his availability for the second Test and in such a scenario, Dilruwan's return is a timely one for Sri Lanka. Should Perera play, then it will be the young turk Lasith Embuldeniya who will have to make way for the senior off-spinner.

Dilruwan endured a tough time during Sri Lanka's overseas tours of New Zealand and Australia last season, tallying a mere six wickets despite bowling a cumulative of approximately 165 overs through those four Tests. His last red-ball appearance was against Australia at Canberra where he ended up wicket-less.

However, at home, the 37-year-old has been an impact bowler for Sri Lanka and that was on display last year during the series against South Africa and England. In those five home Tests, he ended up with a whopping 38 wickets and was largely instrumental in the whitewash win over the Proteas.