Sri Lanka recalled batsman Roshan Mahanama, and left-arm fast bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa for the nine-nation 400,000 dollar Wills knockout one-day tournament termed the mini-World Cup, starting in Dhaka on Saturday, where there is no place for losers.
The national selectors deliberated for over a day adjourning their meeting twice before finally filling in the slots to make the final 14.
All three players failed to make the successful tour to England. Mahanama was left out on poor form, while Vaas and Zoysa were recovering from injuries.
Between the England tour and now, these players have done nothing outstanding to warrant selection. But the circumstances are such that their inclusion to Dhaka have become a necessity.
Mahanama, over whose exclusion for England created a rather unwarranted furore picks himself on experience. The form of two young batsmen who replaced him for the England tour, Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold, have not been up to expectations. Thus, the return of Mahanama despite the only innings of significance he has played since being dropped was the 20 he scored in the practice game on Monday. However, the selectors are satisfied that he has shown good touch during his brief occupation of the crease. His experience and outstanding fielding were the plus factors that weighed in favour of him.
Hard-hitting left-hander Avishka Gunawardana takes Arnold's place as the third opener in the team. Although he has to work hard on his fielding, Gunawardana picked himself on his batting form shown in the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.
The return of Vaas was anticipated. Having come to England on the latter half of the tour, and practiced with the national players at the nets, Vaas showed that he had fully recovered from his ankle operation and all what he lacked was match fitness.
The practice games arranged by the Cricket Board for his and other players' benefit did not prove to be beneficial due to the inclement weather which allowed only one match to be completed.
The injury to Suresh Perera who has aggravated his groin during an under 23 match for SSC, paved the way for the return of the lanky Zoysa.
The most exciting fast bowling prospect is still not 100 percent fit on the field, but his bowling has been a source of inspiration to his team mates. Team physio Alex Kountouri has given the all clear sign to play Zoysa, whose presence is primarily required in Australia and in England next year when Sri Lanka defend the World Cup. However, the opinion amongst those who are close to Zoysa, is that he is twice as good a better bowler than most of his colleagues, even if half fit.
All rounder Kumara Dharmasena will be on trial in this tournament. Recent form has proved that he has moreover been lucky to be in the national squad even with mediocre performances. The recent tour to England showed the decline in form of this all-rounder who has survived largely on his fighting qualities.
The pitches in Dhaka are expected to be a heart break for bowlers after the initial hour and it will be a test of fitness for bowlers like Vaas and Zoysa and skill for Dharmasena.
The team left in the early hours of today for Dhaka.
The tournament opens on Saturday (October 24) with New Zealand meeting Zimnbabwe. The winners of this tie will qualify to play world champions Sri Lanka in the second quarter-final on October 26. The other quarter-final games are : October 25 : England v South Africa, October 28 : Australia v India, and October 29 : Pakistan v West Indies. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 30 and 31 and the final, for November 1. All matches will take place at the Dhaka Stadium and played on a knockout basis.
Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle and former England batsman Raman Subba Row will be the ICC match referees for the tournament which is expected to raise funds for the development of the game globally.
Age ODIs
A Ranatunga (SSC) (c) 34 244
PA de Silva (NCC) (vc) 33 241
ST Jayasuriya (B'field) 29 164
RS Kaluwitharana (Colts) 28 96
MS Atapattu (SSC) 27 50
DA Gunawardana (NCC) 21 2
RS Mahanama (B'field) 32 195
HP Tillekeratne (NCC) 31 165
WPUCJ Vaas (Colts) 24 89
GP Wickremasinghe (SSC) 27 96
DNT Zoysa (SSC) 20 3
M Muralitharan (Tamil Union) 26 99
HDPK Dharmasena (B'field) 27 88
UU Chandana (Tamil Union) 26 37
Manager: Ranjit Fernando
Coach: Roy Dias
Physio: Alex Kountouri