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By Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka's prime batsman Aravinda de Silva was picked in the squad of 16 for the tour to England commencing later next month.

The selection committee which met on Wednesday evening were satisfied with De Silva's fitness which was the prime concern before choosing him because his ability was never in doubt.

De Silva was given an ultimatum by the national selection committee that he will be considered for selection to England if he worked himself into peak physical condition by the end of March and, that he played regularly for his club NCC in the Premier trophy tournament. He was given two months to get fit.

We reliably understand that De Silva has been passed fit by the team's physio Alex Kountouri who monitored his progress carefully so that he (De Silva) shed upto seven kilos in weight.

He also figured regularly in the Premier trophy competition for NCC with nine matches (13 innings) producing a total of 691 runs (avg. 57.58) and two big centuries in the Super league round - 194 against Moors SC at Moratuwa and 154 against Tamil Union at the CCC grounds.

The 36-year-old veteran of 89 Tests, lost his place in the national team to Hashan Tillakaratne at the start of the series against India in August last year and missed out on Sri Lanka's last 11 Tests, the last nine of which have been won on the trot.

Since the 1999 World Cup, De Silva has figured largely in Test matches accumulating 5952 runs (avg. 41.91) with 19 centuries - both Sri Lanka batting records.

De Silva's inclusion will give the team's batting a tremendous boost, especially when one considers his wide experience of English conditions having played one successful season with Kent county in 1995, and made tours to England since 1984.

De Silva is among eight batsmen picked in the squad of 16 for the first-ever three-Test series to be played in England. The series commences at Lord's on May 16. It is reliably learnt that changes will be made to the squad prior to the commencement of the NatWest one-day triangular series starting on June 27. The Sri Lanka Test squad to England has been sent to the Sports Minister for ratification.

DILHARA OUT OF SHARJAH TOURNEY

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilhara Fernando has been ruled out of the three-nation Champions trophy tournament commencing in Sharjah on April 8. The tournament also features Pakistan and New Zealand.

Cricket Board sources said that Fernando is suffering from slight pains in his back and has been asked to rest by the team's physio.

Fernando recently recovered from a stress fracture injury in his back to represent SSC in the Premier trophy Super League semi-final, but has been ruled out of the on-going final against Colts at SSC grounds. Fernando will be replaced by Colts fast bowler Eric Upashantha. Upashantha was picked to represent Sri Lanka 'A' in the ICC six-nation Challenge limited overs tournament in Namibia from April 7-14. His place has been filled by Akalanka Ganegama.

Fernando who has been picked for the England tour as well, has three weeks to recover from his back injury. Otherwise a replacement will be named, Cricket Board sources said.

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