Great opportunity for new comers -de Mel

Chairman national selectors Ashantha de Mel believed that the newcomers who have been picked for the tour of Bangladesh will grab the opportunity and make an impact in their attempt to form a formidable combination for the 2011 World Cup.

The national selectors were forced to make some sweeping changes ahead of this Tri Nation limited overs tournament following a disastrous series in India where the team lost the three Test series two nil and the five match one day international series 3-1. The tour of India was also marred with a series of injuries where key players in the calibre of ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, former captain Mahela Jayawardena, all rounder Angelo Mathews and fast bowler Dilhara Fernando were ruled out half way through the one day series.

As a result the national selectors have turned into a couple of new players and former national players who are expected to play a major role in this series which will be worked off from January 4 to 13 in Dhaka.

De Mel stressed the fact that their main objective is to make sure that the team will not depend entirely on the senior players and that the new comers will make a huge difference in the final outcome. It is with this in mind that the selectors decided to include 20 year old uncapped left hand opening batsman Lahiru Thirimanna although Upul Tharanga and Tillekeratne Dilshan are considered as the regular openers.

De Mel said that they decided to recall Chamara Silva to strengthen the middle order following a successful domestic season for Bloomfield where he amassed over 900 runs inclusive of three centuries and four fifties.

In addition leg spinner Malinga Bandara also received a recall in the absence of ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan while promising all rounder Thissara Perera has retained his place in the squad following the injury of regular player Angelo Mathews. (C.D)