Jayasuriya left out of Sri Lanka squad

May 25, 2006
BIRMINGHAM: Sanath Jayasuriya has been left out of Sri Lanka’s 12-man squad for the second Test at Edgbaston but Lasith Malinga, the pace bowler, is included with a final decision on the team to be made on Thursday morning (today).

Jehan Mubarak, the out-of-form opening batsman, has been omitted after two low scores in the drawn first Test at Lord’s and his place is taken by Michael Vandort instead of Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya arrived in England during the Lord’s match after announcing the end of his Test retirement following persuasion by Sri Lanka’s new chairman of selectors Asantha De Mel. However, the Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said it was important the team gave their younger players a chance to shine.

Malinga, 22, who took five wickets during the recent draw with Sussex, the tourists’ final warm-up match before the second Test, could now come into the line-up after Sri Lanka took just six wickets as England piled up 551 for six declared in their only innings at Lord’s.

England will make a final decision on their team this morning and with an unsettled forecast there is still a chance Jon Lewis could win his first Test cap in place of Monty Panesar.