Hashan Tillekeratne, who has played just two one-day internationals for Sri Lanka since the 1999 World Cup, has been drafted into the 15-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa. The move comes in the wake of Sri Lanka's abysmal performances in South Africa and Australia. Tillekeratne, 36, was among the senior players, along with Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, culled after Sri Lanka's pathetic defence of the World Cup in England. Tillekeratne has been in superb form since his return to the Test side and excelled in South Africa where many of the others looked out of depth. He will also double up as reserve wicket keeper after the selectors decided not to pick Romesh Kaluwitharana. Avishka Gunawardene has also been recalled, despite not having played since the NatWest triangular in England six months ago. Sanath Jayasuriya's form in recent months has been nothing if not patchy and Gunawardene provides an alternative at the top of the order. Muttiah Muralitharan, who is currently recovering from injury, is the only specialist spinner in the squad. The pace bowling department has been beefed up with the inclusion of Charitha Buddika Fernando, who last made an appearance at the Morocco Cup in August. However, the Sri Lankans, currently in Australia to contest the VB series, are yet to sign contracts with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) after the board rejected their latest demand for an 18 percent pay rise in return for the players cancelling personal sponsorship contracts. The squad
Sanath Jayasuriya (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Aravinda de Silva, Russel Arnold, Jehan Mubarak, Avishka Gunawardene, Hashan Tillekeratne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Pulasthi Gunaratne, Prabath Nissanka and Charitha Buddika Fernando.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd