Murali replaced by Ajantha Mendis

The national cricket selectors yesterday named uncapped spinner Ajantha Mendis in their fifteen member squad for the three match one day international series against the West Indies from April 8 to 15.

Even though classified as a right arm slow medium bowler 23 year old Mendis is a spinner who bowls a mixture of googlies, off breaks, top spinners, flippers and leg breaks.

He has turned out to be a consistent wicket taker in the on going SLC Premier League four day tournament where he has captured 54 wickets from seven matches while representing Sri Lanka Army Sports Club.

He also had a successful series for Wayamba Province in the inter provincial limited overs tournament claiming ten wickets from five matches at an average of 8.50. In 17 first class games Mendis has picked up 97 wickets at an average of 14.84.

Mendis will replace ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who has been omitted along with veteran Sanath Jayasuriya whose place has been taken by Mahela Udawatte.

The national selectors also recalled twenty seven year old all rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne who is staging a comeback after playing the last of his 11 one dayers in 2003. In addition the selectors were forced to make a couple of changes to the Sri Lanka Test squad following the injuries to two of their fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof.

They have been replaced by Chanaka Welagedera and Nuwan Kulasekera.

The three one-dayers will be played in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad (April 10 and 12) and Saint Lucia (April 15).

The two Tests will be held in Guyana (March 22-26) and Port-of-Spain (April 3-7).

The Sri Lanka one day squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (vice captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Kaushal Weeraratne, Ishara Amarasinghe, Malinga Bandara, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekera, Thilina Thushara Mirando. Stand byes: Thilina Kandambi, Dhammika Prasad.

Officials: Shriyan Samararatne (Manager), Trevor Bayliss (coach), Paul Farbrace (Assistant Coach), Tommy Simsek (Physiotherapist), Jade Roberts (Trainer), Nalin de Alwis (Computer Analyst), Lal Thamel (Masseur), Jayantha Seneviratne (Selector on Tour) C.D.