Arnold recalled by Sri Lanka

Russel Arnold has been recalled to Sri Lanka's Test squad for their forthcoming two-Test series against West Indies, which begins in Colombo on July 13.

Arnold, 31, lost his place more than a year ago due to poor form, but a match-winning hundred against a touring West Indies A side in a recent four-day game helped him make a comeback. He replaces Shantha Kalavithigoda, who made his Test debut against New Zealand at Wellington in April.

"Russel performed better in the four-day games against West Indies A and taking his form into account he was preferred over Kalavithigoda," Lalith Kaluperuma, Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors told AFP.

The left-arm seamer, Nuwan Zoysa, is also back in the side after recovering from injury, as well as Muttiah Muralitharan, who has been out of the side for 11 months due to a shoulder injury. Gayan Wijekoon, 28, the only uncapped player in the side, comes in at the expense of other allrounder, Farveez Maharoof. Marvan Atapattu remains as captain, with Mahela Jayawardene his deputy.

West Indies will play a two-day warm-up game in Colombo over the weekend. The first Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club here from July 13 while the second match will be played at Kandy from July 21.

Sri Lanka squad Marvan Atapattu (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasitha Malinga, Gayan Wijekoon, Russel Arnold, Rangana Herath.