Jayawardene given a well balanced squad

ELMO Rodrigopulle

The Sri Lanka Cricket selectors headed by Asantha de Mel have picked a strong and well balanced squad to meet India in the Five One- day Internationals beginning on Saturday at Hambantota.

Slinging specialist Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera and Sachitra Senanayake return to don coloured clothing.

The selector are persisting with hard hitting batsman Chamara Kapugedera hoping that he will, if he plays, come good this time round. He is a highly talented batsman and he must make it his business to score big runs.

Isuru Udana has also been included in a pace attack that consists of Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulesekra, Thisara Perera and Angelo Mathews.

The spin attack will be led b Rangana Herath and keeping him company are Jeevan Mendis and Sachitra Senanayake.

The batting pick itself with Mahela Jayawardene, T.M.Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne. The two all rounders in the side are - Angelo Mathews and Thisar Perera.

The squad: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (V.Capt), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Chamar Kapugedera, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulesekera, Isuru Udana, Rangana Herath, Sachitra Senanayake and Jeevan Mendis.