Three new players to face England in ODI's

Dinesh Weerawansa

CRICKET: Veteran all-rounder Russel Arnold is among three new players picked to join the touring Sri Lanka team for the upcoming five-match one day international series against England. The other two players who will fly to England along with Arnold to strengthen the Lankan team are fast medium bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Ruchira Perera.

Arnold, who turns 33 in October, is an useful all-rounder but has been unfortunate not to catch the selectors' eyes too often. A veteran of 160 one day internationals since making his debut in 1997, Arnold has scored 3,676 runs at an average of 36.03 with one century and 26 fifties. Despite early media speculation on selections (not in ANCL newspapers), the selectors met only on yesterday evening to finalise the ODI squad to face England.

On board the London-bound flight with Arnold are right-arm quickie Dilhara Fernando and fellow left-arm fast bowler Ruchira Perera. Considered as one of the fastest bowlers produced by Sri Lanka in recent times, Fernando has also been an experienced campaigner, accounting for 104 one day international scalps in 87 ODIs at an average of 31.53.

The presence of Fernando and Perera would add variety to the Lankan bowling department. Together with two Sri Lanka's trump cards in bowling off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and paceman Chaminda Vaas, the tourists should be able to give England batsmen a testing time.

But the trio will have to quickly adjust to English conditions, if they are to make their presence felt. Returning home after the current three-Test series will be Michael Vandort, Prasanna Jayawardena, Nuwan Zoysa, Nuwan Kulasekera and Jehan Mubarak.

Sri Lanka will open the five-match ODI series with two games at Lord's on June 17 and at Kennington Oval on June 20. The three remaining games between the two countries will be played on June 24 (Chester-le-street), 28 (Old Trafford) and on July 1 (Headingley).

The Lankans have a poor ODI record against England, losing eight of the ten matches they have played so far with the hosts. However, Sri Lanka has emerged victorious on seven of the eight occasions they have met England on home soil. Of the 32 ODIs played between the two teams so far, England takes the lead with 19 wins to Sri Lanka 13.

Sri Lanka squad for the ODI series against England:

Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Russel Arnold, Dilhara Fernando, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedara, Farveez Maharoof, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Ruchira Perera. (+ Subject to Sports Ministry ratification)