Bandara left out of Squad for CB Series

Following the Inter Provincial Tournament, the national selectors have named a 15-man squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia next month.

The squad comprises of five fast bowlers lead by Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga, and the sole spinner being Muttiah Muralitharan. Fervez Maharoof, who was out of the test series against England, has been included, while Chanaka Welagedara who made an impressive debut in the third test against England will be replacing the injured Dilhara Fernando.

Ishara Amerasinghe, who played a single ODI in Pakistan last May has earned a recall to the side, together with another right-arm paceman Nuwan Kulasekara.

However, the suprise omission in the squad is legspinner Malinga Bandara who played a crucial role in making Sri Lanka the Runners-up of their last VB Series in 2005-06. He was the second highest wicket-taker of the series with 14 scalps to his name. Bandara, who has often earned a place only in the absence of  Sri Lanka’s leading bowler Muralitharan, has been quite impressive in the opportunites he has been given, even showing potential of being an all-rounder at times.

Dilruwan Perera, the opener who made his debut against England in October has been named in the squad while the promising batsman Chamara Kaugedara too has been called to the side after impressive performances in the domestic scene.

While the squad is a pace-heavy attack, the selectors hope to use either Tillekaratne Dilshan or Dilruwan Perera to support Murali, in addition to the regular Sanath Jayasuriya.

As usual Mahela Jayawardene will lead the side, with Kumar Sanagakkara as both his deputy and the Wicket-keeper.

Squad :
Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Dilruwan Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Chanaka Welegedara, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Farveez Maharoof, Ishara Amerasinghe.

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Ranatunga to take over Sri Lanka Cricket

Jayantha Dharmadasa has resigned as chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket , paving the way for Arjuna Ranatunga, the former Sri Lankan captain, to take over. Sources close to the board have confirmed that Ranatunga will take over from tomorrow.

The board’s media manager, Samantha Algama, said Dharmadasa sent in his resignation to the secretary of the Sports Ministry citing ‘personal reasons’. Following Ranatunga’s appointment, changes are also expected in the current cricket administration.

Dharmadasa was appointed interim chairman on March 24, 2005 by former Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga and ran the day to day administration for close to three years. He replaced the democratically elected body of Mohan de Silva, whose administration was accused of mishandling the board’s funds.

Ranatunga, 42, served briefly on the present administration’s cricket committee before resigning on the grounds that he was not happy at the way progress was being made. He has been a strong campaigner for change in the domestic cricket set up and feared that, unless radical steps were taken, Sri Lanka cricket was heading for disaster with no quality players coming out of the present system.

Having led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup, Ranatunga quit international cricket in 2000 after playing 93 Tests and 269 one-dayers and began a career in politics, following in the footsteps of his father who is a minister in the present government.

Courtesy – CricInfo

Photo Courtesy – Daily News

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