Selectors pick a balanced squad to Australia:

Young Karunaratne deserves selection

Elmo Rodrigopulle Reporting

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors led by Asantha de Mel and comprising Don Anurasiri and Hemantha Wickremratne have picked a strong squad of 16 players for the Three Test tour of Australia which begins in December. The stand out selection is that of young left hand batsman Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne had a bad debut beginning, being dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the First Test in Galle against the New Zealanders.

Dimuth Karunaratne plays a shot during the third day of the first Test

But in the second innings Karunaratne showed that he is an opener of class with a bright future the way he led the Lankan victory charge, tamed and slaughtered the Kiwi attack to rattle up a half ton.

Of those left out Lahiru Thirimanne and Thisara Perera must count themselves unlucky. The selectors would have loved to include them, but it must be understood that only a number of players could be slotted in.

The squad is a nicely balanced one. The Australian wickets are known for pace and bounce and although not carrying a tear away fast bowler, the five medium pace bowlers have the ability to bowl and exploit the pace and bounce.

The five seam bowlers are: Nuwan Kulasekera, Shamindra Eranga, Chanaka Welegedera, Nuwan Pradeep and Dhammika Prasad. Kulasekera and Eranga used the new ball competently in Galle.

Spinners Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv pick themselves after their match winning efforts in Galle. Randiv kept it tight and pressurized the Kiwi batsmen for Herath to do the damage.

Other than for the selection of Karunaratne, the rest of the players were automatic choices. Nuwan Pradeep has recovered well from injury and was available for selection. Mahela Jayewardene will lead the side with Angelo Mathew as his deputy. Sri Lanka, after a three-day practice game in Canberra from December 6 to 8, play the First Test against Australia at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart from December 14 to 18, the Boxing Day Second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30 and the final Test from January 3 to 7 at the Sydney cricket ground.

The Sri Lankan cricketers will be searching for their First Test victory in Australia. They have toured before, but not won a Test match.

The 16-man squad: Mahela Jayewardene (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayewardene (WK), Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekera, Shamindra Eranga, Suraj Randiv, Dinesh Chandimal, Chanaka Welegedera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad and Dimuth Karunaratne.

Stand byes: Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Akila Dhananjaya and Jeevan Mendis.