November 16 Saturday 2002
Sri Lanka make six changes for one-day series

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan cricket selectors made six changes Friday in its Test squad touring South Africa to play a series of five limited-over cricket matches.

Veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva, who retired from Test cricket last month, will play the one-day series. All-rounder Upul Chandana and fast bowler Pulasthi Gunaratne, who played for the country during the Champions Trophy match against India in September, will also take part.

Left-handed Avishka Gunawardana has been chosen to open batting if skipper Sanath Jayasuriya fails to recover from an ankle injury. The injury prevented Jayasuriya from playing the second Test against South Africa, which got underway at the Centurion Park on Friday. Off-spinner Thilan Samaraweera is expected to replace Sri Lanka's ace bowler Muttiah Muralitharan, who is currently suffering from a hernia problem.

The one-day matches will be played from Nov.27-Dec 5. Batsman Hashan Tillekeratne, a member of Sri Lanka's 1996 world cup winning team, wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, fast bowlers Sujeewa de Silva, Thilina Thushara, Tharanga Lakshitha, and Ruchira Perera will return home after the second and final Test.

The squad: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Upul Chandana, Hasantha Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Jehan Mubarak, Chamila Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Avishka Gunawardana and Thilan Samaraweera.