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Selectors go for youth for one-dayers

Sri Lanka's new selection committee under the chairmanship of Sidath Wettimuny took a bold decision in plumping for youth in the one-day triangular series against Australia and India beginning on August 22.

The selectors included batsmen Avishka Gunawardana, Russel Arnold, Indika de Saram, all-rounder Chamara Silva, fast bowler Suresh Perera and leg-spinner Nimesh Perera - all members of the Sri Lanka 'A' team currently touring England. They have been rewarded for performing constantly well on the tour.

The selectors also recalled left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa who has been declared fit by the team physio.

Seven Sri Lanka cricketers paid the heavy price for failure to defend the World Cup successfully in England this year when they were dropped from the squad.

Omitted are Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva - two of the leading lights of the country in one-day internationals for over a decade with over 500 one-day appearances and more than 15,000 runs between them, Roshan Mahanama and Hashan Tillekeratne, two other experienced and long-serving batsmen. All four were part of the 30-member pool announced last month.

Chandika Hathurusingha, Ruwan Kalpage, and Erik Upashantha are the other members who took part in the World Cup.

``In selecting the one-day squad we have taken into consideration the long-term prospects, especially for the World Cup four years ahead,'' a press release from Wettimuny said.

Wettimuny, who is presently in Europe on business made a brief visit to England to watch the Sri Lanka 'A' players in action and gain information on the progress of the cricketers from coach Hemantha Devapriya and manager Stanley Jayasinghe, prior to finalising the one-day squad.

``Our intention is to create a new energy, a new enthusiasm and greater sense of competitiveness amongst our players,'' stated Wettimuny.

Sri Lanka Squad

Squad of 15 for One-day Triangular

Sanath Jayasuriya (captain, 30 years, Bloomfield),
Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain, 22, SSC),
Marvan Atapattu (29, SSC),
Avishka Gunawardana (22, SSC),
Russel Arnold (25, NCC),
Indika de Saram (25, Colts),
Chamara Silva (20, Panadura SC),
Upul Chandana (27, Tamil Union),
Nimesh Perera (22, Sebastianites),
Muthiah Muralitharan (27, Tamil Union),
Suresh Perera (21, SSC),
Chaminda Vaas (25, Colts),
Romesh Kaluwitharana (29, Colts),
Nuwan Zoysa (21, SSC),
Pramodya Wickremasinghe (27, SSC).