Srinath replaces Nehra for Champions Trophy final

Veteran medium-pacer Javagal Srinath is set to replace Ashish Nehra for the final of the Champions Trophy 2002 which India will play on Sunday.

In an about turn from their earlier position, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acceded to the team's wishes and recalled Srinath, who is currently playing for Leicestershire in England.

Newly appointed secretary of the BCCI, SK Nair said in a statement that the BCCI had agreed to the replacement and this was then okayed by the newly formed selection committee. The International Cricket Council too gave the necessary permission to the Indian team.

Only recently, the chairman of the selection committee, former Karnataka and India cricketer Brijesh Patel, had said that he would try to persuade Srinath to change his mind and return to both Test and one-day cricket.

The honorary secretary of the BCCI also confirmed that Srinath had agreed to leave England immediately and fly to Colombo in order to be here in time for the final.

Nehra injured his bowling hand when he attempted a run out off his bowling against South Africa. The Delhi medium-pacer split the webbing between his index and middle fingers and required five stitches.