October 19 Saturday 2002
Sri Lanka call up Perera for South Africa tour

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka added seamer Ruchira Perera, who was reported for a suspect action earlier this year, to their squad to tour South Africa, the country's cricket board said on Friday.

The left-armer became the 17th man in the party for two Tests next month in Johannesburg and Centurion. The 25-year-old Perera's bowling action was reported following the drawn first Test against England in May and was not selected for the remainder of the series.

Perera, who has taken 17 wickets in seven tests, joins a group of untried pace bowlers providing support for the experienced Chaminda Vaas and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. They include Thilina Thushara and Tharanga Lakshitha, who have been selected for the first time for the two-test series.

The left-armed Thushara, rated the quickest bowler in Sri Lanka, and Lakshitha are both 20. Also in the squad are fast bowlers Sujeewa de Silva, who has played two tests, and Chamila Gamage, who has appeared in one.

Squad: Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeratne, Jehan Mubarak, Muttiah Muralitharan, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Sujeewa de Silva, Tharanga Lakshitha, Thilina Thushara, Chamila Gamage, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ruchira Perera. 

Coach: Dav Whatmore.