Selectors seek comfort in experience

Charlie Austin

August 5, 2000

With the old guard performing but the youth still struggling to achieve the consistency required, the selectors have addressed the demi-crisis created by Sri Lanka's loss in Kandy, by returning to the comfort of experience.

Aravinda De Silva has been drafted into the squad for the final test match at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Sunday. De Silva had been in wretched form against Pakistan with a string of failures and was dropped for the Singer one-day tournament and South African test series.

Tillerkeratne Dilshan, who had so nearly played in Kandy as the seventh batsmen, will make way for De Silva. With the pitch at the SSC more conducive to South Africa's fast bowlers and unlikely to spin as much as in Galle and Kandy, Sri Lanka want to strengthen the batting and will play seven batsmen.

Kumar Dharmasena is likely to make may. If Sanath Jayasuriya bowls more, as he should, then there is no need for Dharmasena, who has struggled to recapture his old form on his return to test cricket after a two-year absence.

Nuwan Zoysa has also dropped out of the squad, this time for injury. He pulled a hamstring whilst bowling in the South African second innings. This provides Dilhara Fernando with a chance for his second cap at his home ground.

The broad shouldered fast bowler is as brisk as you get in Sri Lanka. A tall man with a slingy action he has the capacity to extra bounce and bowl some devilish deliveries. However he is prone to be inaccurate and has been expensive in recent times.

Ruchira Perera, a whippy left arm fast bowler, has been called back into the squad having been surplus to requirements in Kandy. Avishka Gunawardene and Prassana Jayawardene have been released from the squad.

Full Squad:

Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt.), Marvan Attapattu (VC), Russell Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Upul Chandana, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Ruchira Perera, T.M. Dilshan, Dinuka Hettiarachchi

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