Jayasuriya out of VB Series

Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's veteran allrounder, will miss the VB Series in Australia as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Jayasuriya, 36, dislocated his shoulder in a freak swimming pool accident in August and aggravated it after slipping in the shower in New Zealand this week.

Sri Lanka have had a dismal run of form lately, losing 6-1 to India and dropping three consecutive games to New Zealand. Michael Vandort, who played two Tests in 2001-02 but who has yet to make his one-day debut, has been brought into the squad while Chamara Kapugedara and Nuwan Kulasekara, the medium-fast bowler, have replaced Avishka Gunawardene and Lasith Malinga.

Sri Lanka meet Australia in the VB Series opener at Melbourne on January 13. South Africa are the third team in the tournament, with the best-of-three finals beginning at Adelaide on February 10.

Sri Lanka squad Marvan Atapattu (capt), Jehan Mubarak, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Michael Vandort, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekera.