da bet7k： Sri Lanka’s selectors have named a 20-man training pool for the forthcomingtour to New Zealand in December and January
Cricinfo staff24-Aug-2005Sri Lanka’s selectors have named a 20-man training pool for the forthcomingtour to New Zealand in December and January. The most notable absentees areRomesh Kaluwitharana and Avishka Gunawardene.Marvan Atapattu has not been reconfirmed as captain but his impressiveleadership during the past year means that he his eventual appointment isassured despite a fractious relationship with Asantha de Mel, the chairmanof the selectors.The identity of the likely vice-captain is less clear. Atapattu’s currentdeputy, Mahela Jayawardene, could be replaced despite a good year, on andoff the field, by Chaminda Vaas, who is apparently favoured by some membersof the current seven-man selection committee.Sri Lanka have selected their final touring squads from outside theirtraining pools in the past so Kaluwitharana’s fate is not sealed, but withhis 35th birthday fast approaching his international career could be overdespite a fifty in his last Test match.Gunawardene’s sacking had been on the cards after allegations of drunkenmisconduct during the ICC Champions Trophy and his poor record away fromhome. His omission will provide an opportunity for Saman Jayantha to cementa place as Sanath Jayasuriya’s partner.Muttiah Muralitharan has not been named in the training pool having not yetrecovered sufficiently from his shoulder surgery, but, assuming hisMelbourne-based surgeon, Dr David Young, gives him the go-ahead next week,he will target a return in the latter part of the tour.Sri Lanka are due to play a five-match ODI series starting December 26followed by a two-Test series starting on January 19.Squad Marvan Atapattu (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Saman Jayantha, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Lasitha Malinga, Ian Daniel, Farveez, Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk).