Dilshan's return gives Sri Lanka more depth

Tillakaratne Dilshan, a key allrounder for Sri Lanka, has been passed fit to play in Sri Lanka's first Champions Trophy match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday. Dilshan's right hand had needed stitches after the webbing was split in the last one-dayer against South Africa.

Dilshan sat out the opening warm-up match of Sri Lanka's Champions Trophy campaign, but returned for their final practice game against a weak ECB XI on Friday, scoring 41. Crucially, Dilshan, who is expected to play an important supporting role with his flat offbreaks on the dry end-of-season pitches, also resumed bowling in the nets.

Sri Lanka's main selection dilemma as they prepare for the tournament has been whether to play six or seven batsman. Their recent success was achieved with six batting specialists backed up by bowling allrounders. But England's more bowler-friendly conditions may persuade them to add Saman Jayantha as an extra batsman; if not against Zimbabwe, then probably against England.

The bowling attack will be led by Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa. Upul Chandana will probably be the first-choice spinner. The final bowling slot, assuming seven batsmen play, will then be a tight contest between Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Malinga. But Maharoof's fielding and batting may get him the nod. Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan would then add support with their part-time spin.

However, if the weather is bright and sunny against England at the Rosebowl on Friday - the weather forecasters are predicting a dry and sunny week on the south coast - and the pitch offers assistance for the spinners, then they will be tempted to stick with their winning formula and include Kaushal Lokuarachchi; a move that will undoubtedly add more teeth to a bowling attack missing Muttiah Muralitharan.

The bowling had a good day out in the hopelessly one-sided encounter against the ECB XI at Shenley. Dilshan's return was the only real benefit to emerge from a match in which Sri Lanka piled up 261 and then bowled out the team of recreational cricketers for 91, with Zoysa and Lokuarachchi sharing six wickets.