The Hindu : Jayawardene back in favour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

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Sport - Cricket

Jayawardene back in favour

COLOMBO May 8. Mahela Jayawardene has been named vice-captain of a new-look Sri Lanka one-day side for the triangular series also involving New Zealand and Pakistan that starts on Saturday.

Jayawardene had been dropped from the one-day squad after a disastrous World Cup when the 25-year-old middle order batsman scored just 21 runs in seven innings.

However, Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the Sharjah Cup last month, coupled with Jayawardene's return to form since, has forced a re-think by the selectors.

Jayawardene was appointed vice-captain of the national side in 1999 but lost the job to current one-day captain Marvan Atapattu after a slump in his batting form.

The right-hander has played in 140 matches, scoring 3,607 runs at an average of 30.31.

Sri Lanka has dropped six players from the squad that failed to qualify for the final of the Sharjah quadrangular.

Russel Arnold, who was also dropped for the Sharjah Cup after a lean World Cup, has also been recalled. Romesh Kaluwitharana has been preferred to Prasana Jayawardena behind the stumps after missing the second half of the triangular series in Australia, the World Cup and the Sharjah Cup.

There are also recalls for middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, all-rounder Kaushalya Weereratne, leg spinner Upul Chandana and fast bowler Prabath Nissanka.

Sri Lanka's 15-man squad is heavily loaded with spinners, four having been picked.

Michael Vandort, a tall left-handed opener, has been put on standby should Atapattu not recover from the mild concussion he sustained after a collision in the Kandy Test against New Zealand which ended in a draw on Wednesday.

Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando was not considered, having not recovered from a back strain.

Sri Lanka opens the triangular series against Pakistan at the Dambulla Rangiri International Stadium on Saturday.

* The team: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kaushalya Weereratne.

— Reuters

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