Jayawardene appointed vice-captain for one-day series

After a disappointing performance in the recent Sharjah Cup, Sri Lanka have bolstered their one-day squad by recalling Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold and Romesh Kaluwitharana for the forthcoming triangular series with New Zealand and Pakistan.

Jayawardene, who had a dismal World Cup, scoring just 21 runs in seven innings, has also been appointed vice-captain to Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's new one-day captain after the resignation of Sanath Jaysasuriya. Jayawardene had a brief spell as vice-captain after the 1999 World Cup but was replaced after a sharp drop in his form.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, a middle-order batsman and brilliant fielder, Kaushalya Weereratne, a young swing-bowling allrounder, Prabath Nissanka, the fast bowler who impressed during the recent Test series against New Zealand and the legspinning allrounder Upul Chandana have also been recalled.

The reserve wicket-keeper, Prasanna Jayawardene, the fast bowler Charitha Buddhika, and the batsmen Jehan Mubarak and Avishka Gunawardene have all been dropped. Hashan Tillakaratne, the Sri Lanka Test captain, has retired and Dilhara Fernando, Sri Lanka's fastest bowler, is still struggling with a back injury.

Michael Vandort, a tall left-handed opener, has been put on standby should Atapattu fail to recover from the mild concussion he sustained during a collision with Daniel Vettori during the recent second Test. However, Atapattu is expected to be fit.

Sri Lanka play their first match against Pakistan at the Dambulla Rangiri International Stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lanka Squad
Marvan Atapattu (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Dharshana Gamage, Prabath Nissanka, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Kumar Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kaushalya Weereratne