November 15 Friday 2002
Muralitharan omitted from SL one-day squad

JOHANNESBURG: Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was omitted on Thursday from the Sri Lanka squad for a five-match one-day series against South Africa starting this month.

Six players have been called up for the series, including veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva who retired from test cricket in October. "We have picked a balanced side," said chairman of selectors Guy de Alwis, currently in South Africa with the test squad.

Off-spinning all-rounder Thilan Samaraweera has been called in as a replacement for Muralitharan, who is expected to undergo a hernia operation shortly after the second test against the South Africans which begins at Centurion on Friday.

The new players are due to arrive in South Africa on Monday. Sri Lankan squad: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Aravinda de Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene, Hasantha Fernando, Upul Chandana, Thilan Samaraweera, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Chamila Gamage Lakshitha, Prabath Nissanka.