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| December 23, 2005 | Friday | Ziqa’ad 20, 1426 |
Jayasuriya recalled for NZ ODIs
COLOMBO, Dec 22: Sanath Jayasuriya has been named in a 16-man squad for Sri Lanka’s four-match one-day series in New Zealand starting on Dec 31. Jayasuriya was controversially axed for Sri Lanka’s Test squad on the grounds of poor form and fitness after a low-scoring ODI series against India in November, the surprise decision prompting a storm of protest in the island.
The 36-year-old, Sri Lanka’s highest run scorer in Tests and one-dayers, has been hampered by a slow-healing dislocated shoulder but was expected to reclaim his position after some heavy scoring in domestic cricket.
The selectors have made several changes following Sri Lanka’s 6-1 drumming by India in November, dropping spinner Upul Chandana, pace bowler Nuwan Zoysa, batsman Thilan Samaraweera and all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige.
Chandana, Sri Lanka’s highest ODI wicket-taker last year, was replaced by 25-year-old leg spinner Malinga Bandara, uncapped in one-dayers, who was recently called up into the Test team too.
The selectors recalled quick bowlers Lasith Malinga and Ruchira Perera, a left-armer who played the last of his two One-day Internationals six years ago in Australia. Perera has faced frequent disciplinary problems during a career plagued by his reporting for a suspect action during an England tour in 2002.
Jehan Mubarak, 24, who impressed with his fielding during the recent Sri Lanka-India Test series but failed with the bat, was recalled in place of Samaraweera.
Squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Chaminda Vaas (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Avishka Gunawardene, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Jehan Mubarak, Russel Arnold, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando.—Reuters
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