da betobet： Aravinda de Silva has been named in a new-look Sri Lanka one-day squad forthe three-match one-day series against Bangladesh starting Sunday and theMorocco Cup triangular that follows
CricInfo30-Jul-2002Aravinda de Silva has been named in a new-look Sri Lanka one-day squad forthe three-match one-day series against Bangladesh starting Sunday and theMorocco Cup triangular that follows.The selectors have axed seven players after winning just one game in theNatWest triangular series in England last month, as they look forward to the2003 ICC World Cup next February.The squad was finalised on Tuesday afternoon after a short meeting betweenthe team management and the new three-man selection panel headed by Guy deAlwis.Batsmen Avishka Gunawardene, Naveed Nawaz and Chamara Silva have all beendropped, as has wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwithrana, who had opened thebatting during the early of the NatWest series.Changes have also been made to the bowling attack, with fast bowlers NuwanZoysa and Pramodya Wickramasinghe both being left out.De Silva, 36, vastly experienced having played 275 matches, scoring 8430matches at 35.13, had been determined to win back his place, working hard onhis fitness since returning from England. He last played against New Zealandin February 2001.The veteran right-hander is expected to bat at the pivotal number sixposition, strengthening the middle order. Captain Sanath Jayasuriya andMarvan Atapattu will open the innings with Kumar Sangakkara batting atnumber three.Leg-spinner Upul Chandana, 30, will vie for the problematic all-rounder’sspot at number seven with new medium pacer Hasantha Fernando, 22, whoperformed well with bat and ball for Chilaw Marians in domestic cricket lastseason.Right-arm fast bowler Chamila Gamage, 23, who caught the eye in the secondTest against Bangladesh, and right-armer Pulasthi Gunaratne are both set tomake their ODI debuts as back up to the established trio of Chaminda Vaas,Dilhara Fernando and Buddika Fernando.Muttiah Muralitharan, who made himself unavailable for the NatWest seriesdue to a shoulder injury, returns to the one-day side having recovered fullfitness, meaning that Thilan Samaraweera loses his place.With Morocco expected to assist the fast bowlers, the selectors believe theynow have the basis of their World Cup squad. The one likely inclusion is theintroduction of left-arm fast bowler Ruchira Perera once he has completedhis rehabilitation.The selectors may make changes for the third One-Day International against Bangladesh next Wednesday, including some players not included in this squad.The team are due to leave for Morocco early Friday morning.Full squad:Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, MahelaJaywardene, Russel Arnold, Aravinda de Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, UpulChandana, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Chamila Lakshitha Gamage, DilharaFernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Charitha Buddika Fernando