Atapattu retains captaincy for one-day series in West Indies

Marvan Atapattu has been retained as Sri Lanka's captain for the three-match one-day international series in the West Indies, despite failing to take Sri Lanka to the final of the recent Bank Alfalah Cup triangular series.

Sri Lanka's early knockout ended a five-year run in which they won every one-day series and tournament at home, but the four-man selection panel refused to hold Atapattu accountable, blaming the top-order batting instead. "You can't judge a man on one series alone," said Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors. "It was the batting that lost us the trophy. The top order just needs to regain its form."

The selectors, though, have lost their patience with Russel Arnold, who scored 13 in Sri Lanka's opening match before ferrying the drinks for the remainder of the tournament. "Russel [Arnold] has been struggling for his form and we decided that it is best for him to regain it before returning to the national side," said Kaluperuma. "He will play in a three-day practice game next week and if he scores he will be considered for the Test team."

Naveed Nawaz, a 29-year-old left-hander who played the last of his three one-day internationals against India at The Oval in 2002, replaces Arnold. Dinusha Fernando, a 23-year-old uncapped swing bowler, replaces Kaushalya Weeraratne, who played just one game in the recent tri-series.

Dilhara Fernando was not considered for selection after failing to recover from a lower-back injury, although the selectors hope that he will have regained his fitness in time for the Test series.

Sri Lanka are due to play three one-day internationals, starting on June 7 in Barbados, followed by two Test matches. The squad for the Test series will be announced late next week.

Squad
Marvan Atapattu (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Naveed Nawaz, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dinusha Fernando.