COLOMBO, July 6: Sri Lanka on Wednesday recalled middle-order batsman Russel Arnold for an upcoming two-Test home series against the West Indies. Arnold, 31, lost his place more than a year ago due to poor form, but a match-winning hundred against a touring West Indies ‘A’ side in a four-day game helped him make a comeback.

The left-hander replaced Shantha Kalavithigoda, who made his Test debut in Wellington, New Zealand in April this year.

“Russel performed better in the four-day games against West Indies ‘A’ and taking his form into account he was preferred over Kalavithigoda,” Lalith Kaluperuma, Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors said.

Gayan Wijekoon, 28, the only uncapped player in the side, came in at the expense of other all-rounder Farveez Maharoof.

Marvan Atapattu was retained skipper with Mahela Jayawardene his deputy.

The West Indies will play a two-day warm-up game in Colombo over the weekend.

The first Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club here from July 13 while the second match will be played in the hill resort of Kandy from July 21.

Squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasitha Malinga, Gayan Wijekoon, Russel Arnold, Rangana Herath.—AFP