0
COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) July 20: Cricket authorities Saturday said they have retained Sanath Jayasuriya as captain for the Test matches against Bangladesh starting Sunday despite last month’s 0-2 series defeat against England.
The decision of the Sri Lankan cricket board was taken Friday amid rumors that Jayasuriya might lose his job as captain after the team’s poor performance during the tour of England.
The selectors have also retained many senior players, including Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Tillekeratne. Seam bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa, however, have not been named for the 15-member squad in both tests against Bangladesh.
The board has chosen some new players for the second test against Bangladesh, scheduled for July 28.
Prasanna Jayawardena, considered one of Sri Lanka’s best wicket keepers is likely to wear the gloves on Sunday though Kumar Sangakkara, who kept the wickets against the English team, has also been named in the squad.
TEAM FOR THE FIRST TEST AT P. SARAVANAMUTTU STADIUM, COLOMBO:
Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Prasanna Jayawardena, Muthiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Sujeeva de Silva, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Hashan Tillekeratne and Hasantha Fernando.
Team for the second Test at Sinhalese Sports Club ground, Colombo:
Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Michael Vandort, Naveed Nawaz, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardena, Upul Chandana, Hashan Tillekeratne, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Sujeewa de Silva, Chamila Gamage, Hasantha Fernando, Pulasthi Guneratne and Chamara Silva.—AFP
