Arnold, Dilshan & Murali To Tour NZ

Sri Lanka have decided to recalled all-rounder Russel Arnold for their tour of New Zealand later this month, while Tillakaratne Dilshan who was controversially axed for the Pakistan tour has also returned to the touring party. Muttiah Muralitharan will also travel with the team although at this stage it is unclear if he will be fit to play.

The pair will come in at the expence of opener Avishka Gunawardene and middle-order batsmen Jehan Mubarak and Thilina Kandamby.

Meanehile off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who is recovering from a shoulder injury, is included in the squad, though it is unclear when he will be fit to make a comeback but the selectors are confident enough to drop fellow spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi to allow Muralitharan to travel.

Kumar Sangakkara has been handed back the wicket keeping gloves on a fulltime basis after the retirement of Romesh Kaluwitharana. The decision is another U-turn by the selectors, who had previously wanted Sangakkara – who averages 41.57 with the gloves and 68.15 without them to concentrate on his batting.

Mahela Jayawardene will continue as vice-captain despite speculation that some of the selectors were pushing for a change.


Sri Lanka team for New Zealand tour