Sri Lanka all-change.. again

Sri Lanka have made seven changes to their one-day side for the forthcoming triangular tournament at home to Pakistan and New Zealand in response to their dismal showing at Sharjah, where they were beaten by Zimbabwe.

Test captain Hashan Tillakaratne has retired from ODI cricket, and paceman Dilhara Fernando is still out of actionwith a back injury. Attacking opener Avishka Gunawardene and fellow batsmen Michael Vandort and Jehan Mubarak, as well as paceman Charitha Buddika Fernando and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene all lose out.

Vandort, however, remains on standby should captain Atapattu not complete his expected recovery from the concussion sustained in his collision with Daniel Vettori in the Second Test at Kandy

Back into the side come Mahela Jayawardene, having recovered the form that was so sorely lacking in the World Cup, as the new vice-captain, batsmen Russel Arnold and Tillakaratne Dilshan and the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Big-hitting Leg-spinner Upul Chandana is also recalled (again!) as is young all-round prospect Kaushalya Weereratne. Young fast bowler Dharshana Gamage also gets his first International call.

Full Squad
*Marvan Atapattu
Mahela Jayawardene
Sanath Jayasuriya
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Russel Arnold
+Kumar Sangakkara
+Romesh Kaluwitharana
Kaushal Lokuarachchi
Kumar Dharmasena
Kaushalya Weereratne
Upul Chandana
Chaminda Vaas
Dharshana Gamage
Prabath Nissanka
Muttiah Muralitharan

Posted by Neil