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| Wednesday, 5 November 2003 |
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Selectors defer naming vice-captain by Sa'adi Thawfeeq The Sri Lanka one-day squad announced yesterday saw the inclusion of uncapped Galle CC right-arm fast-medium bowler Nuwan Kulasekera, and recalls to middle-order batsman Russell Arnold and left-arm fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa. Surprisingly no vice-captain was named in the 16-member squad led by Marvan Atapattu who will take on England in three one-day internationals on November 18, 20 and 21 at Dambulla and at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Chairman of selectors Lalith Kaluperuma said that the selection committee had deferred the appointment of the vice-captain until the final 11 is selected. "We have decided not to name a vice-captain so early. It will have to be given to a player who is in form," said Kaluperuma. Previously, Mahela Jayawardene was named as deputy to Atapattu for the Bank Alfallah one-day triangular at home and the one-day series in the Caribbean which Sri Lanka won 2-1. However Jayawardene's batting form has been a worry in international matches and although he scored a century for SSC last weekend in the Premier trophy tournament, the selectors have given the indication that they are not going to be rushed into naming a vice-captain. Arnold and Zoysa are once again in favour with the selectors following good performances for Sri Lanka 'A' on their recent tours to South Africa and Kenya. Left-hander Arnold gets the nod after being left out of the national squad since the World Cup in March and Zoysa since the Test tour to South Africa almost 12 months ago. Arnold won praise from the team management for his handling of the Sri Lanka 'A' side. Although he did not score heavily as expected, he did enough to convince the selectors. Zoysa not only bowled well but impressed everyone with his batting. He ended up opening the batting and picked up two man-of-the-match awards in Sri Lanka 'A's clean sweep of the five-match one-day series against the Kenyan national side. Kaluperuma said that a decision has to be taken on the fitness of wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana who is nursing a hamstring injury. Kaluwitharana scored a century for Colts in the Premier trophy tournament last weekend, but Kaluperuma said they were awaiting a final confirmation on his fitness from the team physio by the end of the week. Wicket-keeper Lanka de Silva who showed good batting form on the African tour for Sri Lanka 'A' has also been named in the 16-member squad as a cover up for Kaluwitharana. Kulasekera's selection is laudable. A product of Sri Lanka Cricket's Max Academy, 21-year-old Kulasekera has shone with both bat and ball for Sri Lanka Academy and Galle CC. A fortnight ago he made his maiden first-class fifty with a splendid knock of 95 for Galle CC against NCC and last season was picked the Best Bowler in the Premier trophy tournament with 55 wickets. He has shown the potential of turning out into a fine all-rounder and received his maiden exposure at international level when he represented his country in the recently concluded Videocon Emerging trophy one-day triangular in Colombo. SRI LANKA ONE-DAY SQUAD FOR SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Russell Arnold, Tillakeratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Dinusha Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa, Chamara Silva, Nuwan Kulasekera, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Lanka de Silva. |
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