Atapattu back for ODI tri-series

Marvan Atapattu was declared fit and named in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the tri-nation one-day tournament against India and South Africa starting in Colombo on August 14.

Atapattu, 35, pulled out of the England tour due to a recurring back injury for which he underwent surgery in Australia recently. He started training a fortnight ago and was named in an initial squad of 20 for the ongoing Test series against South Africa.

Selection committee sources said that Atapattu had been given the green light on his fitness by the team physio and that prompted his selection. "We want him to be in the system and train with the squad and be part of it," a selection committee member told Cricinfo. "If we are going to seriously consider Marvan for the World Cup he should make a start now. What he is short of is playing cricket. We would like to have him fit and playing as early as possible." The source also confirmed that Atapattu would bat at No. 5 and not open the innings

"We don't want to disturb the opening combination of Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga because they have been successful in the power plays," the source said. "Mahela Jayawardene will continue to bat at no. 3."

In the long term the selection committee may also looking at promoting Chamara Kapugedera to open as his place in the middle order will be in some doubt with Atapattu batting at No. 5. From the squad that beat England 5-0 in the recent one-day series, Russell Arnold, Jehan Mubarak and Kaushal Lokuarahchi have been omitted.

Jayawardene will continue as captain with Kumar Sangakkara as his deputy. "We don't want to make any changes to the captaincy at this stage not knowing how fit Atapattu will be. We will play it by ear," the source said.

In Atapattu's absence Jayawardene has captained the side admirably securing a 1-all draw in the Test and a 5-0 clean sweep of the one-day series in England. Sri Lanka also leads 1-0 in the current two-Test series against South Africa.

One-day squad Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Marvan Atapattu, Chamara Kapugedera, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk).