Atapattu to make Test comeback

Former Sri Lankan captain, Marvan Atapattu, is set to make an unexpected comeback into the Sri Lankan Test squad to take on Bangladesh later this month.

Atapattu, 36, last played in a Test match in late 2005, against India and has since been on the sidelines. However, Sri Lankan management have decided to give ageing star Sanath Jayasuriya a rest during the three Test series against Bangladesh and Atapattu is set to replace him in the squad.

Atapattu was part of Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad, which made it to the finals. However he sat for the entire tournament in the pavilion, not once getting a chance to represent his country in the Caribbean.

“Marvan Atapattu will definitely be considered for the Test and the one day series against Bangladesh. I think Marvan is too good a player to be left out considering his experience and ability,” said head Sri Lankan selector Ashantha De Mel.

“We will initially look at him for the Tests and, depending on his form, will consider him for the one-day games too. True he was left out of the matches against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, but we have decided to reconsider him.”