Vaas declared fit for Second Test

Dinesh Weerawansa

CRICKET: Left-arm fast medium bowler Chaminda Vaas has been declared fit as Sri Lanka retained the same squad for the second cricket Test against South Africa which is due to commence at Saravanamuttu Stadium on Friday.

Vaas, who aggravated a hamstring injury and pulled out of the First Test at SSC grounds last week, has now been cleared. Team sources said the 32-year-old veteran quick bowler is available for selection for the Second Test.

His return would be welcome news for the Sri Lanka camp as he has been Sri Lanka's premier fast bowler over the past few years. Vaas has captured 306 wickets at an average of 29.20.

However, with three pacies in the squad - Lasith Malinga, Pervez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando, Vaas will have to fight for his place. In the absence of Vaas, Sri Lanka played the trio in the First Test, which the hosts won by an innings. Vaas captured just two wickets in Sri Lanka's 134-run win in the third Test against England at Trent Bridge recently.

Fernando was the most impressive of the Lankan quick bowlers with a match haul of six wickets but it was spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan who did the most of the damage to the South African batting with a match bag of ten wickets.

Sri Lanka is likely to retain the same batting line up with dashing Sanath Jayasuriya to face the new ball with young Upul Tharanga. Kumar Sangakkara would remain at one down.

The national selectors, who met last evening, decided to retain the victorious squad which did duty at the First Test. However, they have kept their options open, before deciding on the final X1 which would depend on the condition of the Sara wicket on the eve of the Test.

Sri Lanka will come in to the Second Test with their heads high after that smashing innings win at SSC to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, played for Janashakthi challenge trophy.

Meanwhile, the South African side is strengthened with the return of their experienced all-rounder Shaun Pollock, who missed the First Test due to his wife's confinement. His return would be a big relief to South Africa captain Ashwell Prince. Playing in 101 Tests, the 33-year-old all-rounder has captured 394 wickets at an average of 23.20 apiece and aggregated 3,444 runs at an average of 31.59.

Sri Lanka squad for the second Test:

Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Prasanna Jayawardena, Chaminda Vaas, Pervez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Vandort, Rangana Herath.