The Hindu : Sri Lanka calls for stand-by

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Sri Lanka calls for stand-by

Paarl Feb. 18. Sri Lanka on Tuesday requested the national selectors to fly in a stand-by for injured fast bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne whose World Cup hangs in the balance.

Gunaratne broke the index finger in the right hand while fielding during Sri Lanka's opening match against New Zealand at Bloemfontein on February 10. Sri Lanka won that match and then defeated Bangladesh to emerge group B leaders with eight points.

Gunaratne will also miss the next two matches against Canada and Kenya, but captain Sanath Jayasuriya said the seamer had a ``50-50'' chance of playing in the key game against the West Indies at Cape Town on February 28.

Gunaratne will not be withdrawn from the team, but a stand-by has been requested to fly in by this weekend to acclimatise to the conditions.

``We want the replacement to be ready to play if Gunaratne cannot play,'' said Sri Lankan team manager Ajith Jayasekera.

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