Dav Whatmore is made national cricket selector

Dav Whatmore has been appointed a national cricket selector by Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake after the resignations of Sidath Wettimuny and Asantha De Mel. He will join former opening batsmen, Brendon Kuruppu, and T.B. Kehelgamuwa in a three-man panel.

The original 26 man squad for the forthcoming series was selected by the previous committee. The new panel will meet for the first time tonight to select the side for the centenary test match on Wednesday. If selected Arjuna Ranatunga will make history as the first player to represent his country in an inaugural test match and in a centenary match.

Few surprises are expected in the side and the main bone of contention will be the second spinner and third seamer. With the wet conditions in Sri Lanka likely to persist for the time being the Sri Lankan will probably play three pace bowlers with Mutiah Muralitharan as the only spinner.