03 October 2004	Sunday	17 Shaban 1425

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KARACHI, Oct 2: Following are the brief sketches of the Sri Lanka squad, which is scheduled to arrive here on Sunday night to take part in the ongoing triangular series:

Marvan Samson ATAPATTU. Born Kalutara 22 Nov 1970. Captain. Right-handed batsman. ODI debut v India (Nagpur) 1990-91. 220 matches, 7069 runs (ave 37.40), highest score 132*, 10 hundreds, 49 fifties, 57 catches. After a wretched start to his international career, he has become one of the star performers. As a thinking captain, he commands a lot of respect both from his team and opponents.

Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva JAYAWARDENE. Born Colombo 27 May 1977. Vice-captain. Right-handed batsman, right-arm part-time off-spinner. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Colombo, RPS), 1997-98. 171 matches, 4349 runs (ave 30.41), highest score 128, six centuries, 21 fifties, 88 catches, seven wickets (ave 74.00), best bowling 2-56. Easily the most stylish of the Sri Lankan batsmen, he is the main threat for the opponents.

Umagiliya Durage Upul CHANDANA. Born Galle 7 May 1972. Right-handed batsman, leg-break bowler. Superb fieldsmen. ODI debut v Australia (Sharjah) 1993-94. 128 matches, 1441 runs (ave 17.15), highest score 89, five fifties, 72 catches, 130 wickets (ave 31.69), best bowling 5-61, 4w 5. In the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan, he is the most experienced spinner in the squad.

Tillekeratne Mudiyanselage DILSHAN. Born Kalutara 14 Oct 1976. Right-handed batsman, off-spinner. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Bulawayo) 1999-00. 47 matches, 715 runs (ave 26.48), highest score 53, two fifties, 28 catches, one stumping, 10 wickets (ave 44.90), best bowling 4-52, 4w 1. Slowly emerging as an all-rounder. A brilliant fielder and a more than useful off-spinner.

Congenige Randhi Dilhara FERNANDO. Born Colombo 19 July 1979. Right-handed batsman, right-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI debut v South Africa (Paarl) 2000-01. 58 matches, 81 runs (ave 7.36), highest score 13*, 11 catches, 77 wickets (ave 27.45), best bowling 4-48, 4w one. Included in the one-day squad ahead of Lasith Malinga, he is returning from injury.

Dihan Avishka GUNAWARDENE. Born Colombo 27 May 1977. Left-handed batsman. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Colombo, SSC) 1997-98. 58 matches, 1652 runs (ave 28.98), highest score 132, one century, 11 fifties, 13 catches. A tall left-hander who partners Jayasuriya at the top of the order.

Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara HERATH. Born Kurunegala 19 March 1978. Left-handed batsman, alow left-armer. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Harare) 2003-04. 6 matches, 0 runs, highest score 0*, 3 catches, 5 wickets (ave 29.80), best bowling 3-28. A decent slow left-armer, he is yet to find a regular spot.

Sanath Teran JAYASURIYA. Born Matara 30 June 1969. Left-handed batsman, slow left-armer. ODI debut v Australia (Melbourne) 1989-90. 328 matches, 9729 runs (ave 31.89), highest score 189, 18 centuries, 56 fifties, 105 catches, 262 wickets (ave 36.51), best bowling 6-29, 4w 9. Now in the twilight of a great career, the seasoned campaigner is still a force to be reckoned with. Fine all-rounder.

Warushavithana Saman JAYANTHA. Born Ambalangoda 26 Jan 1974. Right-handed batsman. ODI debut v Australia (Colombo, RPS) 2003-04. 13 matches, 370 runs (ave 33.63), highest score 74*, 2 fifties, bowling 0-46. A late starter, he is an aggressive batsman.

Shan Hewa Thilina KANDAMBY. Born Colombo 4 June 1982. Left-handed batsman. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Harare) 2003-04. 3 matches, 17 runs (ave 5.66). A somewhat surprise inclusion ahead of fellow left-hander Russel Arnold.

Kaushal Samaraweera LOKUARACHCHI. Born Colombo 20 May 1982. Right-handed batsman. Leg-break bowler. ODI debut v Kenya (Sharjah), 2002-03. 11 matches, 87 runs (ave 10.87), highest score 28, 2 catches, 14 wickets (ave 24.35), best bowling 3-37. Turns the ball appreciably, he could play a key role.

Mohamed Farveez MAHAROOF. Born Colombo 7 Sept 1984. Right-handed batsman. Right-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI debut v Zimbabwe (Harare) 2003-04. 13 matches, 75 runs (ave 18.75), highest score 38, 15 wickets (ave 24.73), best bowling 3-3. The former national under-19 captain, he has the potential to become a very good all-rounder.

Kumar Chokshanada SANGAKKARA. Born Matale 27 Oct 1977. Left-handed batsman. Wicket-keeper. ODI debut v Pakistan (Galle) 2000-01. 118 matches, 3004 runs (ave 33.01), highest score 103*, 3 centuries, 17 fifties, 104 catches, 29 stumpings. A lot will depend on this man if Sri Lanka are to win the tri-series. Most dependable batsman in the squad.

Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda VAAS. Born Mattumagala 27 Jan 1974. Left-handed batsman. Left-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI debut v India (Rajkot) 1993-94. 244 matches, 1557 runs (ave 14.02), highest score 50*, 1 fifty, 48 catches, 315 wickets (ave 26.12), best bowling 8-19, 4w 10. A wily customer, he has mastered the art of reverse swing to devastating effect in recent years. In Muralitharan's absence, he has to take the bowling load on his shoulders.

Demuni Nuwan Tharanga ZOYSA. Born Colombo 13 May 1978. Left-handed batsman. Left-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI debut v New Zealand (Christchurch) 1996-97. 84 matches, 332 runs (ave 14.43), highest score 47*, 12 catches, 101 wickets (ave 28.66), best bowling 5-26, 4w 3. Has made tremendous improvement in a start-stop career injury-hit career. Enjoying his best year in international cricket.

Officials: Brendon Kuruppu (manager), John Dyson (coach), Christopher Clark (physiotherapist).