Sri Lankan selectors make three changes for LG Abans tri-series

Sri Lanka's selectors made three changes to the squad that lost in Sharjah last October when they picked a 15-man squad for the LG Abans Triangular ODI Series starting Saturday.

Fast-bowling allrounder Suresh Perera comes back into the squad after his bowling action, reported for being suspect by umpire Steve Bucknor in August, was cleared by a BCCSL panel of experts. He is set to be slotted into the number seven slot, providing Sri Lanka with greater dynamism in the middle-order.

Fast-bowler Nuwan Zoysa returns to one-day cricket following his full recovery from an ankle injury. He will be competing with Charitha Buddika Fernando and Prabath Nissanka for the third seamers spot.

Leg-spinning allrounder Upul Chandana is the final change, drafted in to bolster the teams spinning options on the slow turning wickets expected during the tournament.

The selectors decided not to pick a replacement wicket-keeper following a finger injury sustained by Romesh Kaluwitharana in Sharjah. Kumar Sangakkara will keep wicket throughout the tournament and is expected to bat at number six.

Strike bowler Dilhara Fernando was unavailable for selection because of the stress fracture identified in his back, which kept him out of the Sharjah final, whilst allrounder Dulip Liyanage has been dropped.

Sri Lanka will play Zimbabwe, who lost both their practice games against development sides, on Saturday at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Full squad:

Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Avishka Gunawardene, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Silva, Suresh Perera, Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Charitha Buddika Fernando, Nuwan Zoysa, Prabath Nissanka